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State Proposes K3 bn for Former Presidents’ Houses Project

Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti confirmed in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the plot for late Dr Mwanawasa’s house located on the Great East Road had been accepted by former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa.

Dr Mwanawasa had also approved the house’s location between Silverest School and Barn Motel before he died.

Mr Mulongoti said that Mr Banda’s house would be located opposite the Baobab School at the site, which was rejected by second Republican president Frederick Chiluba.

“Yes, the current President has accepted the plot which was rejected by Dr Chiluba just opposite the Baobab area,” he said.

The Government last year completed construction of the house for first president Kenneth Kaunda at a cost of more than K7 billion. Dr Kaunda has since moved to the new residence, which comprises the main house with six bedrooms, four of which are self-contained, three staff houses, a laundry building, electric fence and guardhouse.

Efforts to start construction of Dr Chiluba’s house however, hit a snag after he rejected the plot offered to him in preference to the area near Baobab School, the land that belongs to Legacy Holding.

According to the yellow book, the Government next year proposes to spend K1.5 billion on Dr Chiluba’s house, another K1.5 billion on late Dr Mwanawasa’s, in addition to about K1 billion allocated to each of the two projects in this year’s National Budget.

Further, the Government intends to spend K100 million on the project for the construction of Mr Banda’s house.

Mr Mulongoti said the K100 million would go towards the preparatory works on the site for President Banda’s residence located on the Lusaka-Kafue Highway and some documentation like designing.

Additionally, the Ministry of Works and Supply plans to spend another K85 million on the proposed house project for the Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa next year.

A Stately house is one of the legal entitlements for Zambia’s former presidents under the Benefits of Former Presidents Act Cap 15 of the Laws of Zambia.