The National Council for Construction (NCC) has expressed deep concern over the poor workmanship on the Simwanda Bridge project in Kalomo District, in Southern Province.
The bridge being constructed under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a cost of over K800,000 has been condemned by the NCC after an on-site inspection.
NCC Executive Director Paul Makasa who led the inspection together with the board chairperson, said the Council was saddened by the loss of significant public resources on a project that does not meet minimum engineering standards.
“As NCC, we are deeply saddened that over K800,000 of taxpayer money has been lost on a poorly executed project that is not fit for its purpose. This bridge will need to be demolished and a new one built from scratch if it is to serve the community safely,” he said.
Professor Makasa was speaking in an interview with ZANIS at the Kalomo town council after the bridge inspection visit.
He said following the findings after the inspection, NCC has summoned Manjenja construction firm, the contractor responsible for the project.
And NCC Board Director Edgar Siakachona said the findings at Simwanda Bridge raise broader concerns about the competencies of the local contractors and local authority’s supervision of CDF-funded infrastructure.
Put competent people in charge………
You can’t have council inspectors and engineers who are more interested in side hussels than serving the community………
Sack those responsible for monitoring
FWD2031
Inspectors for such projects should have a professional certificate to lose, then they will do a better job.
The country whose men in the trade insist on being called “Engineer”
This is why it is better to give such contracts to Chinese.
I ve got great respect for those who have arisen from the revolution led by Chairman Mao. We were busy deriding their products in the 70s calling it fong kong etc. They learned their lessons, only to now emerge as the most sought after expertise on this planet. Zambia and Africa; learn something from the Chinese. Stop fawning to the West’s enslavers! Trump will keep raising his tariffs for stuff from your sh*thole countries.
Honestly what did we expect to give our local contractors such projects? The intentions are good to empower our people but the problem is our people are a disaster. We’re not serious but we’re very quick to criticise the government.
Citizen the government is to blame for not doing its job of leading. That’s why mankind has governments. To lead people out of retrogression into progressive nationhood. Anyone wanting to be in government needs to know he will take the blame for all the failings in the nation. People should nt go into government to have a good time but to deliver. We should nt be attracted to the government limousines and perks but we should go there to deliver progress. Otherwise leave the job to those who can deliver
This what happens when you think everyone is a business man some people are best employed they do a sterling job
Seems like tis contract wasn’t awarded in a professional manner.Its a who knows who and who is politically connected thereby awarding contract to cowboy primary school level “engineers”