adminthe Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts that said some indigenous contractors were struggling to complete dam projects, a situation that has seen several work going for long periods uncompleted.
Civil engineer Engineer Zacharia Mukarakate of Multiforce Private Limited said Zimbabwe had produced one of the best brains in civil works and it was important that people gave work to local companies.
Multiforce is the company that successfully completed the Bubi-Lupane Dam which has since been commissioned and handed over to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority.
Eng Mukarakate said most of the dam projects cited in the parliamentary portfolio committee report were given to foreign contractors despite the fact that locals were equally good as some local firms have state-of-the art machinery. “It is not true that indigenous contractors are not doing well,” he said. “In Zimbabwe, we have one of the best civil engineers and it is high time that we realise it and start rewarding indigenous firms. Awarding local indigenous firms, most of whom I have no doubt are equally capable, is consistent with Government thrust to empower locals.”
Eng Mukarakate noted that of all the dam projects awarded to foreigners, none has been completed, an observation that was equally acknowledged by the portfolio committee in its report tabled last week.
Online Reporter