THE trend obtaining currently of contractors failing to execute works on schedule is beginning to give an impression that things are deteriorating in the country.
Not so because of poor Government policies, but because of the dwindling levels of integrity in our society.
Evidently, the Government has striven to incorporate different groups in this country in its development agenda, but it has always ended up disappointed.
Regardless of this sad scenario, Government has been unwavering to lay resources at the disposal of not only foreign contractors, but local ones as well to empower them.
Yesterday, the story we heard about a contractor, BSBK failing to move on site to upgrade the Samfya-Kasaba Road is just another of the numerous disturbing episodes in the road construction sector.
The road in question is a very significant link between the Northern and Luapula provinces and a critical reagent to the full revival of the Northern Tourism Circuit.
It is, therefore, disturbing for the contractor to fail to move on site from October last year, when the contract was awarded, and worse still submit flimsy reasons of inadequate payment for the inertia.
We disagree that the delay arose from the Road Development Agency’s 10 and not 15 per cent upfront payment to the contractor.
Didn’t RDA know how much upfront payment would be ideal for timely commencement of the works?
Such questions are pertinent because those are basic factors exhausted even before dispersing from the negotiation table.
It is, therefore, dismissible to justify the delays with such reasons at a later stage when Zambians expect the project to be nearing completion.
On the other hand, China Henan International Corporation, which is working on the Mansa-Luwingu Road, is expected to complete the works ahead of schedule.
That is what Zambians want to hear when public funds are involved.
And such reputation coined by the Chinese contractors has spurred unflinching Government confidence in them because they have always proved their mettle on works of any magnitude. Keep it up China Henan.
One of the things common among some local contractors is setting of wrong priorities. It is always prudent to handle public funds with utmost caution by sticking to the prime objective and repelling temptation of experimental adjustments such as diverting money to other short-term ambitions which are not in the approved plan, with the hope of reconciling transactions later.
This has, most times, proved disastrous.
It is important, therefore, to develop a progressive culture of impeccable integrity on one hand and build capacity on the hand that will meet the challenges of our society.
That way, development will spread evenly and rapidly.