.Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

GOVERNMENT buildings need to be rehabilitated urgently in order to save on money which could be spent to construct new ones, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has said.

Mr Mukanga said this when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge, adding that Government buildings and houses needed to be rehabilitated urgently in order to save on money which would be spent on constructing new ones.

He said some Government buildings and houses were dilapidated because of lack of maintenance over the years and needed to be repaired urgently.

Mr Mukanga said repairing and maintenance was cheaper compared to constructing new houses and other public facilities.

“There is need to come up with a way to look after Government buildings and houses which will involve simple and consistent maintenance. This will save us money rather than starting up projects to build new houses and buildings,” he said.

Mr Mukanga said all engineers in his ministry needed to take maintenance as a priority.

He said it was unfortunate that Government buildings were known to be the ones that were not well looked after.

He said lack of consistent repairs led to buildings being dilapidated.

Mr Mukanga was responding to concerns by Mr Musenge who said that his office did not have sufficient funds to rehabilitate the four acre residence of the provincial minister.

He said the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications needed to help with repairs and rehabilitation of the house and the infrastructure on the yard.

And Mr Mukanga said Government was still sourcing funds to relocate the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport.