Local Contractors Want Bigger Piece of The Pie

The National Association for Medium and Small-Scale Contractors has asked the government to address local subcontracting and increase it from 20-30% as soon as possible.

Spokesperson for the Association Mutale Mpepe stated that the 20% subcontracting policy has greatly benefited smaller businesses however it is still not enough, and a greater share of business would help increase the capacity of local contractor – something that is vital to Zambia’s economic prosperity long term.

Mpepe also encouraged the government and citizens to have trust and confidence in local contractors who can offer good quality services despite stereotypes that external providers can do better.

“That notion of associating local contractors to shoddy works is not good, It is a thing of the past because NCC has trained the contractors and as an association we have pledged quality works and we will not tolerate shoddy works from any of our members,” he said.

At the same time Mpepe called out the Minister of Higher and General Education, noting that it is a great shame that the government ow local contractors over K500 million, meaning many Zambians livelihoods are at stake.

Mpepo said the money was owed to contractors for the construction of hostels at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU), Kwame Nkrumah University and Mulungushi University where works were between 60 and 75 percent completion.

He said about US$250 million was required to complete the outstanding works in the education sector.