TH E D i s a s t e r M a n a g e m e n t and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in Muchinga will spend over K1.1 million to construct additional classrooms at five primary schools in Muchinga Province which were damaged by heavy rains. Acting DMMU provincial coordinator Joshua Banda said in an interview that the primary schools were identified in 2018 after the DMMU conducted a variability assessment on the structures which were affected by floods in 2017/2018 rainy season.

Mr Banda said the five schools are Nakamala in Isoka, Lumbatwe in Kanchibiya, Chipundu, Kabuki and Chilonga in Mpika district. “The province is implementing t h e 2 0 1 7 / 2 0 1 8 r e c o v e r y programme where additional classroom blocks are being built at five primary schools,” Mr Banda said. He said the works at Namakala, Lumbatwe and Chilonga primary school are at 80 percent while works at Kabuki primary school are at 40 percent completion.

Mr Banda said rehabilitation works at Chipundu Primary School have been completed and the facility is operational. He said a DMMU team is currently on the ground to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure in the province. Mr Banda said so far, the team has assessed facilities in Chinsali, Mpika, Isoka, Mafinga and Chama districts. “All districts will undergo assessment as this will help them to come up with a recovery plan to address the problem created by the floods,” Mr Banda said. Mr Banda said learners at Lualiz Primary School are reported to be learning under trees after the roof to the structure was blown off. He said the DMMU deployed 60 iron sheets to the school. Mr Banda said the school will be given priority when it is captured