INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
LABOUR-BASED construction in ZAMBIA: recent policy developments Although Zambia is blessed with enormous natural resources, it remains a country with key challenges. Poverty, unemployment, a lack of technical skills, and difficult transport and communications conditions nationally require urgent remedial interventions. A renewed infrastructure rollout is part of that process, with the potential to incorporate labour-intensive construction techniques. By Robert T McCutcheon*
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ithin its 7th National Development Plan (NDP7 – 2017 to 2021), the Government of Zambia prioritised job creation and infrastructure development across all sectors of the Zambian economy. NDP7 emphasised the importance of using labour-based methods, stating, “To increase employment opportunities in rural areas, the Government will promote rural infrastructure development, agro value chain development, and labour-intensive industries operating in rural areas.” The proposed programmes included: - public works development - labour-intensive industries promotion - r ural employment-guarantee scheme promotion
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- resettlement schemes development - infrastructure development. NDP7 stated that “the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development and sector agencies such as the National Council for Construction (NCC) will coordinate labourintensive technologies in the development of public infrastructure projects. This will optimise the impact of the construction sector’s performance towards achieving the goals of the NDP.” NDP7 (p 147, 9.2) contains the following ‘Expected outcomes and results chain analysis’: - technical skills transferred to local contractors through the NCC - increased employment opportunities for locals throughout the construction value chain - technical skills and knowledge transferred
to locals, making them employable in subsequent works in their areas - reduction of poverty levels.
National Council for Construction Act Recently, in November 2020, the National Council for Construction Act was (re-)enacted in order “to provide for the promotion, development and regulation of the construction industry so as to promote economic growth and competitiveness and create sustainable employment.” As per Section 35 (2) of the National Council for Construction Act, the National Construction School shall: - conduct training for technical staff in construction and construction-related subjects - provide courses in labour-based technology
