VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has urged Zambian contractors to emulate foreign firms who work at meeting their contractual obligations.
Speaking when she inspected construction works on the Mongu-Kalabo road yesterday, Mrs Wina said she is impressed that Avic Construction has promised to complete the project on time.
The Vice-President was also elated that the company has employed both men and women to do construction work.
She said once the road is completed, it will help promote trade between Zambia and Angola.
Mrs Wina said the seven hours it currently takes to travel from Mongu to Kalabo, will be cut to less than an hour when the new road opens.
The Vice-President has since concluded her inspection of developmental projects in Mongu.
A very dull comment coming from such a senior official. Govt does not pay local contractors on time hence making it difficult for them to execute the projects on time.
Foreign firms get low-interest loans from banks in their home countries in order to supplement their working capital until Govt pays them.
Actually when Govt pays them the initial payment, they wire it back to their home countries (tax-free under the nose of ZRA) to build a portfolio with their banks & can borrow as & when required, especially when GRZ delays payments. Local contractors cannot approach Zambian banks because interest rates are too high. So the only option is to abandon site till Govt pays.
Myopic leadership with utterly no understanding of how construction works by this Grandma…merely put there because she is less of a threat to the lazy one!!
Instead of speaking ill of local contractors you support them.
But then we know that’s expecting too much from you. You would rather support foreigners as they include your “nchekelako” (which is paid upfront) in their bid prices.