By SILUMESI MALUMO
GOVERNMENT has terminated a contract awarded to Kawazani, a local contractor who was working on the Mbala Milk Collection Centre over delays to complete the project.
Government has also blacklisted the company for five years.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Professor Nkandu Luo, said it was good that the contract had been terminated because the contractor was not cooperating.
Prof Luo said Government could not continue to hold on to a contractor who was delaying the completion of the project.
This came to light when she inspected the project in Mbala yesterday.
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Chief Livestock Research Officer, Mwambilwa Kabemba, told the minister that drastic action has been taken against the erring contractor.
Mr Kabemba said another contractor has been identified to take over the remaining works of the project.
He said the ministry would ensure that the money paid to the contractor was recovered.
Mr Kabemba said that the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has blacklisted the contractor for five years.
The minister said such contractors who were derailing development must be blacklisted forever.
She said such contractors should never be seen working on Government-run projects again.
Prof Luo said even when the punishment period expires, the contractor will never be awarded any contract under the ministry.
“This contractor has been stubborn. Even when you call him he doesn’t pick up. I am very happy that the contract has been terminated so that this project can move,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prof Luo directed that the Milk Collection Centre must be operational by June this year.
She said the remaining works, such as sinking of the borehole and other things should be completed so that the centre can be running.
The minister also inspected the newly constructed livestock market in Mbala.
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