By Cecilia Chiluba 
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has warned that it will not tolerate substandard works on infrastructure projects by Zambian contractors.
Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Nicholas Phiri, has since urged local contractors to raise the bar in the delivery of infrastructure projects, emphasizing is determined to rebuild confidence in their capacity.
Speaking during a site inspection of road works in Solwezi, Mr. Phiri said government-funded projects must result in lasting development that communities can benefit from for years to come.
“We do not want to return two years after project completion to find potholes in the roads. That’s unacceptable.”
“It only fuels the negative narrative that local contractors can’t deliver quality work,” Mr. Phiri stated.
He also condemned the growing practice by some contractors of subcontracting their projects to foreign entities, calling for partnerships that foster knowledge and skills transfer.
“Let us not sell contracts and disappear. Let us work with foreign contractors, learn from them, and retain those skills here at home,” he added.
Mr. Phiri reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing Zambian contractors, particularly under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive.
“Projects in areas such as Zambezi East, Zambezi West, and Chavuma must go to local contractors. The excuse of lacking capacity is no longer acceptable; capacity is built, not born. We must empower our people to grow it.”
“To this end, the Ministry has awarded road construction contracts to eight local contractors for the rehabilitation and upgrading of 123 kilometers of roads to bituminous standard in Luanshya, Sinazongwe, Mazabuka, Kitwe, Solwezi, Choma, and Lusaka districts. These projects are expected to be completed within 12 months,” he highlighted.
He further urged local authorities to take a more proactive role in nurturing local contractor capacity through mentorship, supervision, and deliberate empowerment initiatives.
Mr. Phiri is in North-Western Province to monitor progress on the Rehabilitation and Upgrading to Bituminous Standard of 10.19 km of Selected Urban Roads in Solwezi Town, a key government investment.
The project includes sections such as the stretch from Kimasala through Solwezi Day to Kyawama Roundabout, the road from Messenger Bridge via Kazomba to the T5 Road, the section connecting T5 via Faith School to Stadium Road, and Stadium Road itself.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development with funding from the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA).
Joseph Tembo