• Government must ensure that 90% of contracts derived from foreign investment
• Foreign contractors enjoy the huge chunk share of the contracts even for goods and service that could be supplied by local contractors.
• Move by First Quantum Minerals to approve plans for a 1.25 billion US Dollar expansion of its Kansanshi mine in Zambia is a great opportunity for local contractors to benefit.
Cleaning Association of Zambia has called on Government to ensure that 90% of contracts derived from foreign investment are allocated to Zambian contractors.
Association President Lawrence Makumbi told Money FM News that foreign contractors enjoy a huge share of contracts even for goods and services that could be supplied by local contractors.
Mr. Makumbi said President Hichilema should task Ministers of Mines and Minerals Development as well as Small and Medium Enterprise Development to ensure that they prioritize local contractors at First Quantum Minerals (FQM) operated Mines.
He stated that the move by FQM to approve plans for a 1.25 billion US Dollar expansion of its Kansanshi mine in Zambia is a great opportunity for the local contractors and the cleaning sector to benefit.
“We want Zambians to benefit from this project hence FQM must give contracts to local contractors as they can offer quality services just like foreign contractors, “he said.
Mr Makumbi stated that the association does not want to see services that can be offered by local contractors be offered by foreign contractors.
“Once this is done, employment will be created in the country and the Zambia kwacha will stabilize because funds will remain in the country, “he said.
In May this year, First Quantum Minerals announced that its board had approved plans for a US$1.25 billion expansion of its Kansanshi mine in Zambia, a decision it said was prompted by renewed confidence in the country’s investment climate.
