The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has embarked on a project to transform the Ecumenical Centre in Lusaka into an investment centre.

The project is expected to see the demolition of the existing buildings to pave way for new offices and apartments.

The CCZ Ecumenical Centre is about 2 hectares.

According to Timestone Architects Principal architect Mofya Kumisuku, the total cost of the project is still under discussion.

The CCZ Investment centre is expected to ensure that the church institution is self-sustained.

This means that the council will no longer entirely depend on donor funds but will finance its own operations.

The project will be undertaken in three phases with each phase expected to last 10 months. Phase 1 is estimated to cost US$2 million.

And CCZ Trust Board Chairperson Chisebwe Fumbeshi said at the ground breaking ceremony of the project that the church has the capacity to fund its own operations and social welfare projects.

Pylos Zambia is the developing partner in the project and Maarten Pauwelyn represents the organization.

He has explained that demolition of the buildings is expected to start in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile CCZ General Secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya has expressed excitement over the development.

And CCZ president Bishop Dr. Alfred Kalembo has advised other church institutions to utilize their resources to sustain themselves.

Most Churches in Zambia depend on their members for funding while some church institutions depend on donor funds and the government.