Infrastructure Development Programme

The Infrastructure Development Programme (IDP) is supporting infrastructure developments at Bunda Campus of LUANAR and aims at widening access to university education and improving teaching and learning environment. The IDP has five main components including:

  1. Construction of a 212 bed female students’ hostel
  2. Construction of teaching and learning complex comprising laboratories, lecture rooms and offices
  3. Rehabilitation of existing teaching and learning facilities including lecture theatres, classrooms and laboratories
  4. Improving the existing water supply which includes construction of tank, drilling of boreholes and laying water pipes
  5. rehabilitating the sewage system by connecting the proposed new infrastructures to fit in the existing sewer line, replacing old pipes, and upgrading of sewerage oxidation of ponds.

The Agreement between the two governments on the IDP was signed in November 2014. As per the agreement, LUANAR is supposed to provide the annual progress report that highlights the progress of the programme implementation and associated financial and income statements. In addition, the annual report provides the next annual programme work plans and budgets for approval by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
It can be concluded that the programme is on track with respect the planned activities in the first year especially for the female students’ hostel and improvement of water supply. There have been notable delays in some components especially the teaching and learning complex, due to change of contract management and scope of work. The involvement of key stakeholders such as DoB, CRWB and LCC has allowed the university to achieve most of its planned interventions. The involvement of other government ministries and departments has also been vital for the Programme. However, the key challenge has been the difference between the approved and agreed budget and the actual bid value from the bidders.

212 Bed Female students’ Hostel
This component is being managed by the Buildings Department. In collaboration with the university’s Internal Procurement Committee (IPC) and upon receiving the No Objection from the ODPP, the contract was awarded to Terrastone Limited at a negotiated contract value of USD$ 2.423 million (MK 1.134 billion)

Teaching and Learning Complex
The component is managed by the Buildings Department (DoB) who, in the reporting period, produced the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the recruitment of a Consultant. The consultant will be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the project. This was followed by the short listing of consultants, who have collected the Request for Proposals (RFPs).

Improving Water Supply
The component is managed by the Buildings Department (DoB) who, in the reporting period, produced the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the recruitment of a Consultant. The consultant will be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the project. This was followed by the short listing of consultants, who have collected the Request for Proposals (RFPs).

Rehabilitation of Sewage System
The tender documents have been finalised by the Lilongwe City Assembly, who are coordinating this component. Advertisements for contractors to collect bid document was in local papers.

Rehabilitation of existing teaching and learning facilities
The University has finished assessing the facilities. The IPC was finalising the procurement processes of the materials and several departments were providing their requirements especially for the laboratory equipment. In terms of finances, the annual budget allocation was NOK 36,468,593 (US$6,078,099) of which NOK1, 878, 042 (US$313,007) has been spent representing a 5% of the funds allocated and 31% of the funds received (NOK 6.0 million, US$857,571.64). As at May 2015 the total balance available for the 2014/2015 financial year is NOK 3,299,820 (US$549,970).