President Edgar Lungu has assured AVIC International that he will engage the EXIM Bank of China to release more funds for firm to speed up works at the Copperbelt International Airport in Ndola.
Speaking shortly before he toured the works at the airport, President Lungu said he will engage the bank so that more money is released for the US$397 million airport.
President Lungu further urged AVIC International to treat its workers well and give them protective clothing to boost their morale.
The Head of State also directed the Chinese firm to ensure that it adheres to the 20 percent policy for awarding subcontracts to local firms.
President Lungu said awarding subcontracts to locals will ensure that they have the much-needed competence to implement huge projects on their own in future.
Earlier, AVIC International Senior Consultant Lei Yingqi said the firm was facing challenges with accessing funding for the project.
Mr Lei asked President Lungu to intervene and ensure funding is released for works to speed up.
He revealed that so far, three local contractors had been awarded works and two more are in the process of being engaged.
Mr Lei said by the end of this year, the total amount of money to be awarded to local contractors will stand at US$4.5 million dollars.
He promised that the airport project will be completed by the end of 2020 and it will be handed over to government.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has toured several sites which have already reached advanced stages at the Copperbelt International Airport.
Among them is the 3000m long run way which has already been tarred and the terminal building which has reached roof level.
Earlier in the morning, President Lungu toured ongoing works at the Under bridge in Ndola.
What a crack of sh!t. Lungu has lost it big time
Oh dear!!
What did Zambia do to deserve this man as head of state?
Is this man a true reflection of Zambians??
This chimpanzee has undone all the good work that Mwanawasa and KK did.
God, we ask for intervention so that Zambia is saved from this man.
God, if you are punishing us for something we have done as a country, please do forgive us.
This is too much to bear.
The latest report from the world bank lists Zambia, Djibouti and Congo as being at high risk of debt distress. But some of our compatriots on this blog call it “western propaganda” simply because it goes against their political leanings. They don’t bother to study the report, it’s basis, its merits, and it’s indicators. But when the world bank praises their political leaders, they are the first to blow the trumpet saying “even world bank has said….”. Double standards. or more accurately no standard, no principles, no morals. You won’t be in that embassy job for ever bane.
Edgar better help Zambians to complete that Airport before he leaves. Because there is no way PF’s president KBF will complete it.
Lets just keep the current airport. I enjoy seeing my luggage get wet when the tractor transports it from the aircraft to the terminal.
Look at this lazy thing talking as if he has an account with China Bank….the projects are overbudget as it is..
Where the pictures of this progress, like the raway nafimo fimo?
Lungu and groupies are holding the picture.
That is all you will get for all the billions borrowed to build this useless airport, which was not even needed in the first places.
Vanity will destroy our country.
Lungu is destroying Zambia.
Iwe Chagwa what are you saying; Instruct the banks in Chine or you will borrow more from Chine?
My boy be ready for battles in courts after 2021.
This scruffy corrupt common thief thinks he is indeed a VVVVIP.
China must be laughing at him.
The chimp is selling out his own country.
Forgive him he has never worked or run a business!!
These graduates of leakages. Much as the moneyfor the same projectis collosal; Eddieis not saying that will get extra money from Exim. No. The money in question is release in bits. And so, he has to engage them to relected more. Nangu kupata umunenu. Yes Eddiemay be making mistakesome and we learning as a country. What does that mean to HH? It means we can’t make another mistake because was the first to show us his true colourscheme. Firstly the mines saga and the grabbing of land from Zambians. Icikwanka bacimwena kumampalanya. If really people want change in 2021 so that HH can become one, then ninshi bonse muli ifpuba because they action will be like a Croc running away from rains into the river. It’s even better we continue with Eddie. At least we are able to tell what PF has done…
Ndola int’l airport costs $397m versus the bigger KKIA which costs $360m . Why is Zambia paying more for a lesser airport?
Both projects are totally not needed.
Imagine how many hospitals/schools could have been built with that money.
These are just ways that this chimp and its groupies are looting the treasury and skimming off loans.
And only $4.5 million allocated to local contractors guess where the money is going, you guessed it back to China, $4.5 million same amount that was spent on that stup!d ugly toll gate that this thief opened. Dununa morons……
I think we have a bjg problem as a country because we are uninformed but like commenting on things we don’t understand. While both projects are expensive and debatable whether they are needed, the Ndola airport is being built from scratch while the Lusaka one is just being improved i.e it is a brownfield project.
Over priced …outdated procurement systems!!
Because the ndola airport has run ways being built and land preparations is from virgin land, meaning land clearing, bringing in electricity, water, etc whilst kkia already has these and only needed a building upgrade
w ww.bbc. com /news/world-africa-45916060
Forgive me if i over simplify this. Zambia will borrow an additional $397 million to pay a foreign firm and Zambian contractors will only reap 1.1% from the transaction. Whose interests does this government safeguard,clearly not the Zambians..
I thought he mentioned 20%in the article
well done china atleast we have better roads for our whips, thus no need of being in diaspora were peopleare always on trams and bicycles.Those who are still in diaspora have no story to tell when they are in zambia hence the fume in their postings, we have better malls to get our threads on,no need of salaula, cheap ware houses for those who are constructing, what more do you need.
Malls are development, awe…. mune if you think that development then katwishi ATI malls….. kuntu waseka
larceny of the highest order………..More faith in chinese than your fellow country men……….Friend of Habazoka………..he is president of chambia .
every time speaking in innuendos as if he is doubting his elegibilty as head of State…………
this man is not a real man…………….full of indecision
BOSS THIS IS DAY LIGHT ROBBERY IN THE NAME OF THE AIRPORT.WAIT HOW THING WILL TOWN FOR U WITH THAT WITCH DR OF YOURS FREEDOM SIKAZWE
Mr president why are your advisers not taking you to visit local contractors. Does it mean there are no works or projects been done by Zambians. Empower the locals my president.
So a Chinese bank will give a Chinese company all the money required to build this airport and we will end up with the bill plus interest. Hmmmm.
These graduates of leakages. Much as the money for the same projectis collosal; Eddie is not saying that will get extra money from Exim. No. The money in question is release in bits. And so, he has to engage them to release more. Nangu kupata umunenu. Yes Eddie may be making mistakes and we are learning as a country. What does that mean to HH? It means we can’t make another mistake because he was the first to show us his true colours. Firstly the mines saga and the grabbing of land from Zambians. Icikwanka bacimwena kumampalanya. If really people want change in 2021 so that HH can become one, then ninshi bonse muli ifpuba because the action will be like a Croc running away from rains into the river. It’s even better we continue with Eddie. At least we are able to tell what PF has done…
Dununa reverse yangena mu overdrive manje – nkongole left right n centre. ZAFFICO latest on the chopping board