By HELEN ZULU
FOURTY local contractors have been sub-contracted to work with Shandong Deijan Group Limited of China, which is the main contractor in the installation of the Presidential solar milling plants.
National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors president Mutale Mpepo said out of the 40 contractors, 15 had already been awarded the contracts, while 25 others would soon be contacted.
Mr Mpepo said during a media briefing in Lusaka at the weekend that this was a way of empowering the local people to improve on their quality of work.
“We interviewed 58 local contractors   out of which   40 who have capacity to deliver came out successful,” he said.
Mr Mpepo   hailed President Lungu for the initiative as it had empowered the local people including youths and women.
Shandong Deijan group managing director Huang Meng said his company needed help from the local contractors as they were more familiar with the places across the country.
Mr Meng, however, urged local contractors to offer quality services as that was the guarantee to the project.
“About 250 units have been installed in almost five provinces and we want to share the remaining ones with the local contractors because this project is not only for China and Zambian Governments but also for everyone.
“Total duration is the end of 2017 so we do not have too much time, you need to give us your working schedules for the project,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Kayula Siame said 250 solar milling plants had been received.
Ms Kayula said 300 plants had been dispatched from China and were expected into Zambia soon.
“A total of 2,000 units are expected to be installed in Zambia, so far 250 have arrived into the country while 300 units had already been shipped from China,” she said.