• Government must consult widely before implementing certain policies.
• It is important that government raises awareness among beneficiaries.
• Government can only achieve what they intend to do by engaging contractors.

National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors of Zambia (NAMSEC) has urged government to sensitize contractors on benefits of the soon to be launched new Local Content Policy for the mining sector.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association President Edgar Siakachoma also advised government to consult widely before implementing certain policies.
Mr. Siakachoma stated that it is important that government raises awareness among beneficiaries on how they can effectively participate in such projects as opposed to operating in isolation.
“As long as they do not prescribe how these policies will be implemented in the absence of would beneficiaries, they will not achieve anything.” If they want to empower local contractors and suppliers, they should learn to consult them so they advise them how can effectively participate, “Mr. Siakachoma advised.
He added that government can only achieve what they intend to do by engaging contractors who will then help them understand the challenges they have been facing.
“As contractors, we are the players and we must be involved, if they really want to empower citizens, they should ensure that stakeholders and players in the sector are involved,” he added.
Mr. Siakachoma was reacting to the recent announcement by Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe that government is working on the new Local Content Policy which will enable local mine suppliers and contractors to get quality jobs from the mines.
Mr. Kabuswe said a team of Ministers working on the policy is yet to arrive on the appropriate figures, adding that government is not going to allow going contractors to pick crumbs from the mining sector but will ensure that they become key players.