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The National Council for Construction (NCC) in the first quarter of this year sanctioned 12 construction companies for violating set regulations.
According to the NCC Acting Executive Director, Kabondo Muntanga, the sanction came about after the council inspected over 300 construction sites across the country.
“During the period under review, 12 construction companies were punished for violating regulations,” Muntanga said at a media briefing in Lusaka on Friday.
He also said over 7,750 certificates were registered and issued by the NCC in the first quarter of this year, representing an increase of 4.8 percent.
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Muntanga, attributed the increase to the positive developments that have taken place in the recent past which had seen an increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The certificates were issued from the general building, housing, general civil engineering works, general road, earthworks, general electric, telecommunications, mechanical engineering works and specialised works.
“Of the certificates presented, 96 percent were issued to citizens while three percent are owned by foreigners. In terms of ownership, NCC issued a total of 7,518 registration certificates representing 96.9 percent to Zambian owned companies while 236 were foreign based.
“Of the certificate that were issued 74 percent were renewals. First registration those registering for the first time accounted for 22 percent, while upgrades accounted for three percent. There were no downgrades, no short terms registration or joint ventures recorded,” Muntanga said.
He said 2,937 employees on the various sites were inspected and Zambian employees accounted for 2,727 while 7.2 percent were foreigners.
Muntanga said 22 percent were new and there were no reprints that were made in the same review period.
He also said the construction sector was dominated by men compared to women.
Despite the devastating effects of Covid-19, Muntanga said NCC was optimistic to see the growth.
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