whilst Permanent Secretary Local Government Amos Mulupenga looks on
shortly after the launch of the manual at Golden Peacock
Government says the belief that foreign contractors execute projects better than indigenous ones have disadvantaged local contractors who have been confined to being subcontractors.
Minister of Works and Supply Yamfwa Mukanga said government through relevant agencies is working to dispel the belief because local contractors are able to execute projects better than foreigners.
He observed that local contractors understand the country’s socio-economic background a lot better than foreign contractors.
The Minister was speaking at the 7th combined graduation ceremony for the National Council for Construction School held in Lusaka today.
Two hundred and thirty (230) students graduated in various types of skills that range from basic land surveying, building works supervision, earth moving operator courses and road construction maintenance supervision among others.
Mr. Mukanga said the graduation of 230 students is testimony of the determination of government through NCC to realise the objective of enhancing skills for local participation in sustainable infrastructure development and job creation.
And NCC Executive Director Charles Mushota appealed to government to consider establishing a construction bank that can help build the capacity of local constructors most of whom he noted have no capability to execute projects because of lack of resources.
Mr. Mushota commended government through the National Road Fund Agency for financial support towards the school’s programmes and the road development agency for allowing students to use their site for practical lessons.
I THOUGHT THE NCC Executive Director Charles Mushota WAS GOING TO REQUEST GOVERNMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT/CONSTRUCTION OF A CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY TO OFFER COURSES IN ARCHITECTUAL DESIGNS, CONSTRUCTION, CIVIL ENGINEERING, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. AND ALSO TO OFFER SHORT COURSES SUCH AS PAVING, LANDSCAPING, DESIGN OF LANDSCAPES AND PAVEMENTS AND WALKWAYS, WATER FEATURES, PAINTING AND DECORATING OF INTERIORS, HORTICULTURAL, ETC. ZAMBIA URGENTLY NEEDS A STAND-ALONE UNIVERSITY OF THAT NATURE IN ORDER TO ADD VALUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY. I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE THINKING OF EDUCATED ZAMBIANS IS SO SHALLOW.
Merely talking without an policy implementation or regulatory guidance…these illegal ministers should just vacate their offices as they are useless, let the Permanent Secretaries take over now.