Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela has urged the contractor expected to expand Lusaka roads and create fly over bridges, to give 20 percent of the works to Zambian sub-contractors.

According to a statement issued by Zambia’s First Secretary for Press at Zambia’s High Commission in India Bangwe Naviley yesterday, the minister was speaking on the side lines of the Confederation of Indian Industry – CII-EXIM Bank Conclave 2018 held in New Delhi, where he said the country was looking forward to the commencement of the project.

“The country is looking forward to the commencement of the project expeditiously as congestion in Lusaka is becoming unbearable,” Chitotela said.

The Minister met various institutions that execute high level projects as well as those involved in project financing such as Ping-Pong.

“I am happy to note that Ping Pong Managing Director Sidhaart Jaain is interested in setting up a 750 bed capacity multi-specialty hospital in Zambia,” Chitotela said.

And addressing the CII Conclave, Chitotela said Zambia was ripe for project transfers that added value to the general citizenry.

“Zambia is currently encouraging Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in major projects and I can assure investors that they would get value for their money,” said Chitotela.

And Indian Minister of Commerce Suresh Prabhu who opened the conference said the conclave was about India listening to the needs of African countries.

“India has placed Africa as a first priority in the promotion of trade and commerce,” said Prabhu.