• The awarding of 30 percent of all RDA contracts to women has encouraged many to join the construction sector.
• The number of women contractors undertaking road maintenance works has increased in the last 5 years.
• Women contractors are ready to undertake major road construction projects.

Zambian Association of Citizen Contractors (ZACCO) says the move by the Road Development Agency (RDA) to award 30 percent of all advertised road contracts to women contractors has increased the number of women in the construction sector.
In an interview with Money FM News, Association General Secretary Danny Simumba said a lot of women have registered their companies in the last five years in order to undertake routine road maintenance projects.
‘‘In the past five years, we have had an increase in the number of women participating in construction activities. For example, we have seen an increase in the number of women doing road maintenance projects and sub contracts,’’ he said.
‘‘To this effect, Government together with National Council for Construction should be commended as they have also allowed women to access the remaining 70 percent of road construction contracts.’’
Mr. Simumba said his association is impressed with the works that women contractors continue to do in road maintenance projects and is hopeful many will start constructing major bridges and bituminous roads.
‘‘For your own information, women have performed exceptionally well in routine road maintenance, and with time, we are confident they are going to move to major construction projects,’’ he added.
‘‘In a short period of joining the construction industry, women contractors have shown that they can do great work as they have proven to be consistent and efficient in their work.’’