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Mr Obert Sibanda

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) has re-launched its Midlands Chapter with a call on the Government and the private sector to seriously consider awarding construction tenders to local players.

ZBCA president Mr Obert Sibanda officially launched the Midlands Chapter in Gweru on Friday.

He said it was high time that local construction companies are considered ahead of players from outside.

He said it was worrying to see the Government and the private sector shunning locally registered contractors whom he said were capable of handling any challenge adding that local contractors were unfairly treated in the tender procedures.

“We’re here in Gweru to re-launch the ZBCA Midlands Chapter. As we decentralise the association we now have branches in Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare and Masvingo. We hope that even when it comes to big tenders, the Government and private players should consider decentralising the tendering process,” said Mr Sibanda.

“Right now everything is done in Harare. Members are forced to fly or travel to Harare for tenders and you find for example a Harare contractor refurbishing a bank in Bulawayo. That’s also the case where you find an international company getting a tender ahead of local companies.”

He said it was saddening to note that some foreign companies winning multimillion tenders bring their workers, materials and equipment before leaving a building alone and taking all the money out of the country.

Mr Sibanda said they were in the process of recruiting more members.

He said if the construction industry was supported fully, it had the potential of playing a huge part in economic recovery.

The Midlands Chapter will be headed by ZimBuild construction company chief executive officer Mr Tinashe Manzungu who will be deputised by Fordcon Construction Company managing director Mr Fordson Ndlovu.

Committee members are Mr Golden Muposiwa of Tinshel Properties, Mrs Moreblessing Kunyangwe of Luxury Living International, Mr Marshal Gwandira of Vaka Concrete, Mr Admire Botso of Chegutu town council and Mr Jonathan Champion of J M construction of Mvuma.

Mr Manzungu said if the Government or private players insist on offering international companies tenders, local consortiums should be given a percentage in the whole tender.

“We’re happy with the revival of ZBCA in Midlands province. We hope to start receiving jobs as others are doing in Harare and Bulawayo. It’s time for us to get contracts since we’re well registered and visible through the association,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said local contractors have over the years showed professionalism in their operations.

“It’s important for Zimbabweans to promote local contractors who produce high quality work in line with the Zim-Asset cluster on infrastructural development for economic development,” he said.

The ZBCA is a non-profit membership-based national association registered in 1992 in terms of Section 33 of the Labour Relations Act to represent indigenous building contractors in the categories of building and civil, as well as electrical, mechanical and structural steel engineering fields.

@pchitumba1