Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
Local construction firms have praised the Second Republic for granting them endless opportunities in undertaking major national projects, thereby showcasing Zimbabwean construction industry capacity.
The Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) has lauded government for their trust in local firms to carry out several infrastructure development projects countrywide, with Zimbabwe witnessing a construction boom never experienced in the country’s history.
Introducing the new presidium at a news conference held in Harare this Monday, newly-elected ZBCA president, Dr Tinashe Manzungu revealed that their membership has registered phenomenal growth of 150% in just under five years.
“There is no doubt that the government has rendered support to the sector, something that has never happened before and as an association, we are grateful to work under the government. Our members have increased from about 200 five years ago to over 500 while thousands of jobs have been created in the process.”
ZBCA senior vice president Mr Gerald Chipumha said by entrusting local companies, the quality of work has improved, creating huge capacity in the industry.
“When you use local contractors frequently you are harnessing their capacity, experience and technical expertise hence you have the possibility of less poor workmanship hence the quality work of being done by local contractors has vastly improved.”
In 2018, Government took a paradigm shift by engaging local companies to carryout huge construction projects, including the Harare – Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway rehabilitation, where in the past foreign entities dominated the local scene, stifling the growth and development of local enterprises.
