GIVE 20% WORKS TO ZAMBIAN CONTRACTORS-CHITOTELA

HOUSING and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela has urged Shapoorji Pallonji, the contractor expected to expand Lusaka roads and create fly over bridges, to give 20 percent of its works to Zambian contractors.

Mr Chitotela said the decongesting of Lusaka was dear to the hearts of Zambians adding that they should participate in the works to build their capacity.

Speaking on the side lines of the Confederation of Indian Industry- CII - EXIM Bank Conclave 2018 held in New Delhi, India, Mr Chitotela said the country was looking forward to the start of the project expeditiously as congestion in Lusaka was becoming unbearable.

Mr Chitotela also encouraged a company called International Tractors to consider setting up a tractor manufacturing plant in Zambia targeting the regional market as Zambia was surrounded by 8 countries.

Mr Chitotela who was among 8 ministers from Africa said Zambia was ripe for project transfers that added value to the general citizenry.

“I am happy to note that Ping Pong managing director Sidhaart Jaain is interested in setting up a 750 bed capacity multi-specialty hospital in Zambia.

“Zambia is currently encouraging public private partnerships -PPPs in major projects and I can assure investors that they would get value for their money,” he said.

And Indian Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu who opened the conference said the conclave was about India listening to the needs of African countries.

“India has placed Africa as a first priority in the promotion of trade and commerce,” Mr. Prabhu said.