By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –

THE National Council for Construction (NCC) has suspended construction works for three companies for operating without valid council registration.
The affected companies are Shimizu Corporation, Velos Enterprises Limited and Swissco Building and Painting Contractors, which all have their works suspended.
Shimizu Corporation is the contractor engaged to facilitate works on the upgrading of Lusaka health centres to district hospitals in Lusaka Province.
The company went ahead to sub-contract two other contractors namely, Velos Enterprises Limited and Swissco Building and Painting Contractors that also did  not have valid registration.
This is contained in a statement issued to the Times in Lusaka yesterday by NCC public relations officer, Chama Mwansa.
Ms Mwansa said Shimizu Corporation had made a request to NCC to be deregistered as a contractor on December 10, last year and was effected on December 18.
However, the company was found carrying out routine inspections on February 22, this year contrary to their request and in contravention of Regulation 1 (1), (2) of Statutory Instrument (S.I) No. 119 of 2008 under the NCC Act No. 13 of 2003.
Ms Mwansa said the Act states that a contractor would not undertake, carry out or complete any construction works awarded in terms of competitive tender, quotation or otherwise, unless the contractor was registered.
“In view of the above, NCC has since suspended all construction works for the three contractors until further notice.
“NCC wishes to take this opportunity to invite members of the public to verify the registration status of contractors before they are engaged to avoid any inconveniences,” she said.
Ms Mwansa said as a regulatory agency, NCC remained committed to improving the quality of infrastructure in support of national development, and would not hesitate to revoke certificates of contractors found wanting.
She urged contractors to ensure they complied with all the necessary regulations.