By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
MULUNGUSHI University has closed prematurely following weeks of critical water problems at the institution.
Meanwhile, police and students fought running battles on Sunday night after students protested over the erratic water supply.
The students set fire on the road leading to the main campus, while others attempted to block the Great North Road with logs in protest.
Mulungushi University vice-chancellor Hellicy N’gambi, who confirmed the closure of the university, said the institution would be closed for two weeks and would reopen on November 3.
The closure was aimed at saving lives and preventing an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
Prof N’gambi said the university gets its water from Mulungushi River, which was drying up and attributed this to deforestation and putting up of fishing dams without proper planning.
“The water situation is not of our making, it is beyond us but with assistance from Government, through the provincial administration, we are determined to find a lasting solution to avoid disruption of classes,” she said.
A team comprising Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company, works department, and officials from the university, to be led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Ronald Sinyanagwe, has been set up to permanently resolve the water challenges and are expected to report back to Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale by November 26, 2014.
Meanwhile, Central Province police chief Standwell Lungu said six students were apprehended during the riot and have been charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Mr Lungu said that quick action by police prevented students from damaging motor vehicles on the Great North Road.
Some students talked to said it was saddening that despite paying a lot of money to the university, they were not getting value for their money especially that the water situation had affected the institution for a long time.