PROJECTS OVERDRIVE

CONTRACTORS should quickly get back to their respective sites and set the infrastructure development projects on overdrive now that the Government has released K700 million.

Many projects have been lying idle for a long time because of the financing gap particularly for projects in the countryside that had reached 80 per cent completion.

The Government thus released K200 million for enterprises that were sub-contracted and K500 million owed to main contractors most of whom had demobilised from the sites.

Other projects had stalled because work could not proceed under wet conditions that were extreme in most parts of the country.

Now that the rainy season is over and the necessary funds have been released, there should not be any reason for delay.

It is, however, pleasing that road contractors in Ndola and Chingola have resumed work under ambitious C400 project which is aimed at total rehabilitation and upgrade of roads on the Copperbelt.

In Ndola, contractors have gone full throttle upgrading roads in Kansenshi, Northrise, Mitengo and other areas.

In Chingola, contractors are busy redoing the roads in the town centre and surrounding areas, Nchanga North and Lulamba.

Yes, Infrastructure and Housing Minister Ronald Chitotela is hopeful that all contractors will get back to the sites this week.

We hope that all areas that appeared desolate after contractors left the sites will be abuzz with heavy duty machinery.

So many projects have been abandoned since 2016 due to lack of funds, but there are also projects that were fully funded.

Some local companies that were awarded contracts to build schools, post offices, civic centres, police stations and health facilities have fled after getting full project funding.

Since the Government has carried out an assessment through the ministerial committee, necessary steps must be taken against erring contractors.

It is a criminal offence for any contractor to flee after receiving public resources for the much-needed development.

There has been outcry from local contractors that most of the projects were being awarded to foreign firms.

The irony is that entrepreneurs that have fled after receiving Government funding are all Zambians.

Surprising too is that fact that most contractors that have resumed the upgrade programme are foreign – mostly Chinese; their work ethic is second to none.

Local firms should change their approach to public projects.

It is important to look beyond their immediate benefits and bear in mind that they need to do a perfect job to the satisfaction of Government and the Zambians at large.

This means that they must shed off selfishness and perform above average so that in future, they are considered for more projects.

In fact, complaints about jobs being given to foreign firms should end forthwith.

Local contractors, without exception, must prove their worth in national programmes by performing excellently; surpassing the meticulous Chinese – if possible.

The infrastructure development the Government is rolling out is meant to benefit all Zambians.

Most importantly, communication, movement of people and goods will be improved because all areas including the countryside are opening up.

For instance, people travelling to Chama from Ndola will not have to go through Lusaka, Chipata then Lundazi before getting to Chama, which is over 1,200 km.

But the distance will be shorter from Ndola through Kapiri Mposhi to Mpika, then Matumbo and finally in Chama - a distance of about 850 km.

Development will take root in the rural areas with upgraded roads and establishment of more districts with attendant infrastructure.

This programme must get into an overdrive!