THE construction of the Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba (FTJ) University which was delayed by heavy rains has commenced, says Mansa District Commissioner James Nyenjele. Mr Nyenjele confirmed in an interview with The Sun construction of US$50 million University in Mansa district has begun. He explained that the construction of the University was delayed due to heavy rains in the province. “Yes I can confirm that construction of FTJ University has commenced. The construction of the University was delayed by heavy rains in the province,” Mr Nyenjele said. He said once completed, the first ever university in Luapula Province at a total cost of US$50 million is expected to accommodate over 1,000 students in different fields of study. Mr Nyenjele said the institution will be the only university to have a full sports faculty in the country adding it will also offer programmes that will be relevant to Luapula Province. He said students in rural areas face challenges to access tertiary education in urban areas adding that the University will go a long way to provide tertiary education to the people of Luapula and Zambia at large. Mr Nyenjele called on the people of Zambia, as well as Luapula residents to support the project. He explained that government has a robust plan to build and complete FTJ University within 36 months until its completion.
In November, 2013 late President Michael Sata laid a foundation stone for the construction of the Luapula University which President Edgar Lungu later renamed after late second Republican President Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba.
