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Construction stakeholders push for provisions for local contractors to get first preference on all local tenders

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Stakeholders in the construction industry have called on Government to expedite the passing of Contractors Bill that will help regulate the sector. Speaking on the sidelines of Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association annual conference, the president Engineer Ransom Nherera said the construction industry badly needs some form of protection for easy operation. He said once there is an Act governing the operation of construction companies, issues to do with malpractice will be a thing of the past.

“We have crafted the bill and submitted it to our parent ministry and we are waiting for its tabling before Parliament. We are presently limited in scope because of the absence of a Statutory Instrument or Act of Parliament governing our operations,” Eng Nherera said.

He said local contractors have the capacity to undertake all capital projects in Zimbabwe and the Act should help indigenous companies to be considered for major contracts.

“Local contractors have the capacity to do huge projects and that it is our fervent hope to have an Act enacted. The Bill that we produced has provisions for local contractors to get first preference on all local tenders. We wish that all foreign contractors coming to Zimbabwe partner local contractors otherwise they will not be allowed to operate in the country. We have the skills but what these foreign companies have is the financial muscle only and we are technically gifted to develop any infrastructure.”

Eng Nherera urged individuals and organisations to engage registered contractors for their capital infrastructural projects as to avoid shoddy jobs. He said the organisation membership has traceable records on their work as they subscribe to a code of conduct and some set standards of the ZBCA. Formed in 1985 and officially registered in 1992, the association has 400 members involved in energy, construction and other artisanal sectors.