By HELEN ZULU –
THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has issued over 6, 000 registration certificates to contractors in various categories and grades in the construction sector.
NCC executive director Mathew Ngulube said by December 31, last year, NCC had issued a total of 6,299 registration certificates in various categories and grades of which only 305 representing five per cent were foreign contractors.
Mr Ngulube said, although the statistics looked impressive, it was sad that over 80 per cent of existing works in the country were executed by foreign contractors mainly because local contractors did not have the necessary experience and financial resources to complete the works effectively and efficiently.
He was speaking during a media breakfast meeting in Lusaka yesterday.
“Last year ended on high note in terms of registration of contractors, by December 31, 2017, NCC had issued a total of 6,299 registration certificates in the various categories and grades.
“It is however saddening   that with all the potential in manufacturing and production of various  materials,  we are still importing and receiving substandard materials when we  can  effectively produce most of these products locally,” Mr Ngulube said.
He said this year,  NCC intends  to make a difference in the way it operated and interacted with contractors so as to ensure local contractors get more value.
Mr Ngulube said NCC was also putting in place modalities to ensure all registered contractors get input materials from registered suppliers and manufacturers.
“As NCC, we have issued reminders to all suppliers and manufacturers of construction materials to register or renew their certificates.
“In this regard, if a supplier or manufacturer is found wanting, we intend to invoke appropriate provisions of the law,” he said.