Shoddy local contractors bringing down sector - NCC

THE local construction sector is failing to grow because of shoddy works by some local contractors when sub-contracted, National Council for Construction (NCC) school of construction Principle Arch Nkonge has said.

Mr Nkonge said some local contractors’ attitude towards work when given contracts contributed to the failure of the sector to grow because their focus was more on money than delivering quality work.

"There are some local contractors who are full of shoddy works and these are the ones hindering the growth of the construction industry in the country," he said.

He said the lack to deliver qualified work was what was denting the image of the construction sector. Speaking yesterday, during the AFCONS workshop for sub-contractors working on the Lusaka Decongestion Road project, Mr Nkonge advised local contractors to deliver quality work and change of attitude.

Speaking at the same event Ministry of Local Government permanent secretary Bishop Ed Chomba said Government was committed to empowering the local contractors and this could be seen by the awarding of all feeders roads to local contractors.

In a speech, read by Local Government Assistant Director Fanizani Phiri, he said it was Government's desire to see to it that the sector grew not only in terms of construction volume but also through increased participation of the Zambian citizen.

"The challenge to local construction sector’s growth remain two-fold. Inadequate financial and technical capacity.

While sub-contracting is an opportunity to local contractors, inadequate technical capacity especially for small-scale contractors tend to reverse the desired progress leading to poor performance," he said.

Dr Chomba, however, said Government intends to increase participation of local contractors in Government contracts to build their capacity.

He said this was essential to enhance the contribution of the local constractors sector to the national economy.