CONSTRUCTION BOOM IN LUSAKA IS FOR REAL

The city of Lusaka is glittering with newly constructed golden buildings that keeps one looking without even blinking the eyes. The city looks just like fairyland, indeed, to many people this is not just a dream but a reality.

There is a construction boom for real throughout Lusaka, Zambia. This has caused the number of construction companies to grow compared to the past years. The growth in the construction industry has created productive employment for many Zambians, both skilled and unskilled.

Mr. Bwalya Mukvka , a local resident of Lusaka city, makes and sells blocks. He is a thirty-year old man, married and with a family of five kids. He was jobless for the past the past five years, but the boom in the construction industry has generated productive employment and livelihood for him. He can now take care of his family affairs such as education, medicare and feeding. He earns Five Thousand Kwacha (K 5,000) per month; and this to him is sufficient to take care of him and his family's basic needs.

According to the Minister of Labour, Mr. Kelvin Chusule, the boom in the construction industry has provided a driving force in the eradication of poverty. There is now widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for many Zambians engaged in construction.

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY

Mr. Nondo Kapuza, the company owner for Nondo Blockmaking Factory, said that the government policies related to the construction companies had made it easier for company owners to establish and operate in suitable environment. Now they can employ many workers, even though there are some challenges such as lack of funds, too much government bureaucracy to name but a few which they faced.

According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour,Mr. Levy Mwanza, government policies and plans have helped many construction companies to modernize and streamline their companies. Now they employ more skilled and unskilled workers. Currently, about 30% of the Zambian population are employed in the construction industry.

By Musa Conteh.