The Parliamentary Committee on Estimates and Expenditure has supported the move taken by government to deregister companies in the construction industry that are abrogating the provisions of their contracts.
Parliamentary Committee on Estimates and Expenditure Chairperson Charles Milupi says the move taken by government was welcome as it would help to create sanity and transparency in the construction industry.
Mr. Milupi was commenting on the 42 companies that the Office of the President has submitted to the Law Enforcement Agencies for possible prosecution.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that it was sad that government was spending a lot of resources on shoddy works that could be channeled to other developmental programmes.
Mr. Milupi, who is also Luena Member of Parliament said companies that would be found to have certified works of poor workmanship should be liable for prosecution and commensurate sanctions.
He said his committee is saddened with the reports it has continued to receive from the public and government of some companies that are abrogating the provisions of the contracts.
Mr. Milupi said his committee would support government’s move not to award contractors that are performing poor works on government projects adding that the committee will remain committed to supporting measures aimed at bringing sanity and satisfaction standards in the Zambian construction industry.
The Parliamentarian stated that contractors, consultants and clients found abrogating the provisions of the contracts should be severely dealt with in order to bring transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds.
Mr. Milupi has since cautioned local contractors to follow the lay down professional ethics in a bid to avoid their companies from being deregistered from the National Council for Construction.
Last week, President Mwanawasa directed all controlling officers and government departments to stop awarding new contracts to the 42 companies until the investigations were concluded and decisions made in respect of each company.
The President’s directive came in the wake of the 42 companies that were submitted to the Law Enforcement Agencies after the Auditor General’s Office concluded investigations to scrutinize their performance.
Dr Mwanawasa called on Law enforcement Agencies to expeditiously conclude investigations in order to foster transparency and accountability in the construction industry.
He said his Office shall continue to take a keen interest in ensuring that public resources are utilized with great sense of fiduciary duty to the Zambian people.
