By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –

LECTURERS at the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe have downed tools over Government’s alleged failure to quickly act on findings by the caretaker committee that was tasked with the mandate to look into the affairs at the institution.
The lecturers downed tools yesterday following the elapse of their five-day ultimatum to Education Minister Michael Kaingu for him to act on recommendations contained in the report by the caretaker committee submitted almost a month ago.
The committee was also tasked to look at the conditions that created the impasse which led to the closure of the institution.
CBU Academics Union (CBUAU) president Mwiya Songolo said the lecturers implemented their resolve made last week to down tools by yesterday if no action was going to be taken.
Mr Songolo said in an interview that the lecturers were resolved in their demands to have a new management at CBU.
He said the caretaker committee, which was given two weeks to complete its work, had been focused and committed to its task and completed its mandate on September 18 this year.
Mr Songolo said the committee had since submitted its conclusions and recommendations to Dr Kaingu, a move that inspired confidence in the academicians.
“As academicians at CBU, we take cognisance of our minister’s attempt to find a lasting solution to the problems at CBU,” he said.
Mr Songolo said the constituting of the caretaker committee by the minister inspired confidence in the academicians who were optimistic that the way of doing business at CBU would change things for the better.
He said the lecturers appreciated the time and effort the caretaker committee put into unearthing the challenges faced by CBU and making recommendations expected to uplift the current status of the institution.
Mr Songolo said the lecturers ha not gone to sleep over their demands for the need to have a new management at CBU.