THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has suspended activities on a Sun Share Investments Limited construction site, a proposed construction of a 10-storey office building in Lusaka.
The site is on Katima Mulilo Road, behind Radisson Blu Hotel.
NCC public relations officer Chama Mwansa said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that routine inspections, NCC conducted on January 6, revealed that the company was carrying out construction works without a valid registration certificate.
Ms Mwansa said NCC also found that the working environment at the site was unsafe because of poor organisation and workers on site did not have the required full protective clothing.
She said Sun Share also breached the regulation which requires contractors to provide appropriate safety clothing to employees.
“NCC has charged Sun Share Investments Limited for contravening the provisions and has ordered the company to immediately cease all construction activities until further notice,” Ms Mwansa said.
She also reminded contractors that the 2016 registration period began in October last year.
Ms Mwansa said contractors wishing to carry out construction activities in 2016 are encouraged to renew their certificates to avoid being penalised.
“We would also like to encourage contractors to ensure all personnel are equipped with appropriate protective wear and enforcement measures on their use are strictly adhered to,” she said.
Ms Mwansa said NCC remains committed to improving the quality of infrastructure in support of national development and will not hesitate to revoke certificates of contractors found wanting.
And suddenly they have opened the eyes and they are able to see just because the president talked about building approval certificates.
The normal situation should be one were the rule of law rules. Not this based on emotions. The law is there that requires all builders to meet certain conditions and possess a certificate/licence to build but this law is never respected because there is not enforcement until president intervenes.
What exactly is the mandate of the NCC? They seem to be all over the place. They talk of a certificate, they talk of safety clothing, etc. While the certificate (whatever it is) may be up their street, how do they come when it comes to safety clothing. Aren’t they supposed to notify the relevant government department to take the necessary action? I mean, if I see you’re feeling unwell, my duty is to take you to a health facility so that the right people take action. Seems to me the NCC is just waking up after the heavy rains have exposed the construction sector.
NCC are just another of those money making machines that are making cost of doing business so high in this country.
By the way when is that sore building at kulima tower getting razed down?
The whole system in construction, health, social services etc have completely broken down. Even the materials used in construction are of sub-standard. The amount of cement/sand/water in making process of bricks is equally questionable if you look at the way the bricks /blocks are crumbling even to ordinary rain. This is a wake up call to all zambia that we are in for a big surprise. Corruption has now reached its highest due to loss of Michael Sata.
These NCC guys are waking up now….the onus is also should be on clients as well no certificate means your building risks being demolished!!
We support NCC and note they have our best interest. Citizens should be proud of this move, it is proof we have systems in place to ensure the best outcome in infrastructure changes. Well done. Things are working in this Gov’t.