• The year 2021 has been very rough.
• Most projects have not resumed because some of the lead companies have not returned from recess.
• Government should come up with a relief package for contractors.

Consortium of Local Contractors and Allied Suppliers has reaffirmed calls for government to consider introducing a relief package specifically for local contractors and suppliers.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Consortium President John Chilupula said 2021 has not been a good year for local contractors and suppliers owing to the Covid-19 pandemic which has paralyzed operations in the construction sector.
Mr. Chilupula stated that many local contractors were sub-contracted and most projects have not resumed due operational challenges.
He noted that some of the main Companies have not returned to Zambia from the time they went on recess in December 2021, while others are slowly coming in but they have not commenced works.
“The main challenge, visa-a-vie Covid-19, this third wave has hit us badly, the main challenge has been that we have had many contractors who were sub-contracted, and most projects have not resumed because the lead companies or the main companies, some of them have not returned ever since they went on recess last December while others are slowly coming in but they haven’t commenced works. I will cite AVIC and many others, so the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the local contractors and suppliers.”
“We can only hope that if government can come up with a relief package, even for contractors, it can be of great help otherwise, the year 2021 has been very rough,” Mr. Chilupula said.