The agency that regulates the construction industry in Zambia, the National Council for Construction, has failed and opted to remain mute on the purportedly corrupt decision by President Michael Sata to move the operations of the Road Development Agency (RDA) to his office.
According to the NCC chairperson Sylvester Mashamba, President Sata’s government has not given the full details on the modalities that it will use to run the RDA from State house.
Qfm reports that Dr. Mashamba was speaking when he appeared before the expanded committee on estimates of parliament chaired by Bweengwa Member of Parliament Highvie Hamududu to make submissions on the 2013 budget that was recently presented in parliament by finance minister Alexander Chikwanda.
Dr. Mashamba in his submissions noted the need for government to ensure that it introduces measures that will promote best practices in the construction industry.
He added that there is need for roles that the various stakeholders play in the construction industry to be distinct.
Dr. Mashamba noted that currently some contractors carry out numerous activities such as constructing and supplying materials saying this affects the operations of the construction industry.
President Sata recently took over RDA to be managed by State House, a decision that has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, who fear this would be a conduit for corruption as only the ruling party and its co-horts will benefit from multi-billion contracts.
The PF has since formed a Limited Company through which government contracts will be channeled in an advanced mode of corruption President Sata will oversee.
At the RDA, President Sata has appointed former Chimwemwe member of parliament and his 2011 campaign manager to chair the board.