By KASONDE KASONDE –
GOVERNMENT says it will not renew the contract for the construction of the Manyumbi Toll Plaza following the local contractor’s inability to complete the works in the last two years.
Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela said he was disappointed that the contractor had failed to complete the works despite being paid and given extensions each time the contract expired.
He was speaking in Kabwe when he inspected the works at the site.
“As a Government,  we want to support our local contractors, however, their attitude towards work is what brings our morale down. Nzovu Transport whom the Government has fully supported in terms of payments and other logistical requirements has failed to complete the project,” Mr Chitotela said.
He said the contractor had delayed the project, which was supposed to be handed over to the Government in 2015 and up to now the project is still not complete.
Mr Chitotela said it was unfortunate that despite the local contractor being paid over K15 million he had failed to complete the works.
He has since directed the Road Development Agency (RDA) not to renew the contract and requested for a meeting regarding the contract of Nzovu Transport with RDA as well as the Consultant to see the way forward as it was unacceptable.
He said he would ensure that all that the contractor owed Government was recovered or Mr Nzovu would be the first Zambian contractor to be prosecuted and blacklisted.
Mr Chitotela said all payments made to the contractor will be reviewed and material analysts will be sent to assess the materials used if necessary.
He warned local contractors that had been receiving money from Government and failing to deliver that their days were numbered and the Law would visit them.
And the contractor Collins Nzovu pleaded with Government to give himmore time to complete the works.
Meanwhile, National Road Fund Agency ( NRFA) Acting director and chief executive officer Wallace Mumba said K15.7 million had been paid for the Manyumbi toll plaza and only K9.4 million had been paid to a foreign contractor for the Katuba, Shimabala and Chongwe toll plazas where works had advanced.
Mr Mumba said local contractors had a moral obligation to deliver proper works on time and give Government value for its money.