Towards Smart and Resilient Infrastructure – The Housing and Infrastructure Symposium 2017
Some 400 blue-chip stakeholders from all strata of Zambia’s infrastructure sector gathered in Lusaka this week to seek practical solutions to the sector’s nagging challenges as well as to share past successes.
The 2017 Housing and Infrastructure Symposium, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development and financed by Stanbic Bank, was being held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Running under the theme “Towards Smart and Resilient Infrastructure”, the symposium took place from April 20-21, 2017.President Edgar Lungu graced the occasion, stressing the need to expand and modernise the infrastructure base of the country with
President Edgar Lungu graced the occasion, stressing the need to expand and modernise the infrastructure base of the country with effective participation of the private sector. The President also said infrastructure development in today’s world could not be pursued without taking into account issues of sustainable environment management and the impact of climate change. Most importantly, he found the timing of the Housing and Infrastructure Symposium was timely, as the government has prioritised housing and infrastructure development, investing significantly in the modernisation of various infrastructure around the country.The Minister Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela added that “Major areas of focus have been in the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of roads, construction of new schools and Universities, construction of modern health centres and hospitals including improvement and construction of infrastructure in the energy, water and sanitation sectors.” Chitotela, however, noted that the country was faced with a huge housing deficit of about 1.3 million housing units and hoped that the symposium would provide the government with a platform to find solutions to facilitate public and social housing development in order to secure housing ownership for Zambians.
The Minister Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela added that “Major areas of focus have been in the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of roads, construction of new schools and Universities, construction of modern health centres and hospitals including improvement and construction of infrastructure in the energy, water and sanitation sectors.” Chitotela, however, noted that the country was faced with a huge housing deficit of about 1.3 million housing units and hoped that the symposium would provide the government with a platform to find solutions to facilitate public and social housing development in order to secure housing ownership for Zambians.
Stanbic Bank, the sponsor of the symposium, outlined its various banking solutions, including Enterprise Banking and Construction Banking, which are key to supporting infrastructure investment by both small and large industry players. The bank has a long history of supporting the infrastructure sector. Over the last 60 years, Stanbic Bank has supported investments in massive infrastructure development spanning a wide range of sectors that include energy, agriculture, housing, mining, ICT and retail. Stanbic Chief Executive Charles Mudiwa said the financial sector’s support to infrastructure development was key to spurring economic activities.
The Symposium brings out important points for the Zambia diasporan living abroad. It highlights the government’s commitment to continued infrastructural investment. This will result in continued appreciation of real estate and development in the sector. As a result of the road paving programme alone, many home owners have seen their properties appreciate by 30 – 40%. The current housing deficit illustrates that there is significant scope of investment in housing which will yield attractive returns. Don’t you think it’s time you invested in buying property at home? Contact Diaspora Connect and we will help you do so!
