NEGATIVE COMMENTS FROM UPND GOVERNMENT AFFECTING LOCAL CONTRACTORS
…Don’t insult us, pay us – Mr Mpepo
Zambian Association of Citizen Contractors (ZACCO) president Mutale Mpepo has castigated the New Dawn Administration over the negative sentiments issued against local contractors they owe money to.
Mr Mpepo has implored government to stop insulting the local contractors and begged the Hakainde Hichilema led administration to pay the contractors as opposed to insulting them.
He said this during a briefing in Lusaka today.
“Further, the negative sentiments from government over reasons such as belonging to the previous government, contractors getting paid for no work, getting advance payments and running away are making it impossible for local contractors to secure bank loan facilities and international businesses in the construction industry,” he said.
“The negative statements have disadvantaged local contractors.”
The Assocition President also complained about the mistrust government has on local contractors.
He reminded government of the many people that the construction sector employs, as a way of participating to the growth of the country’s economy.
“This mistrust that is existing from government is collapsing the sector and is against government’s own policy of employment creation,” he said.
“The construction sector in Zambia employs over 70,000 people and contributes to over 20 percent of the gross domestic product, don’t you think it requires government support? Government has a duty to protect local businesses including contractors.”
He said the foreign contractors in Zambia are still supported by their governments.
Mr Mapepo said like any other sector of the economy in Zambia, the construction sector faces its own challenges but must be supported to grow and develop capacity to undertake even bigger projects.
“For example, in the agriculture industry, farmers are supported by government through different programmes,” he said.
He stressed that it is important to note that the Zambian contractors comply to international standards that ensure that the client’s funds are secured.
The Association president said government, as a client is protected by securing its resources from abuse from contractors.
“There maybe some bad perfoming contractors yes, however most contractors comply with set standards in the execution of works,” he said.
“Standard contracts are signed between the client (government) and contractors. The client appoints consultants to supervise contractors. Consultants too execute perfomance guarantees and bonds in favour of the client to ensure smooth execution of works.”