President Edgar Lungu has implored AVIC International not to compromise quality in the construction of the US$400 million Copperbelt International Airport in Ndola.
President Lungu said AVIC International is known for quality works and must maintain the very standards it has set and apply them to the infrastructure projects it is undertaking in the country.
The Head of State emphasised that AVIC must ensure that it adheres to the 36 month time schedule for construction and completion of the airport project.
ZANIS reports that President Lungu said this when he held a meeting with AVIC International officials before touring the airport construction site.
President Lungu assured AVIC of government’s commitment to ensure that much needed funds are sourced to complete the project.
He warned the contractor to desist from mistreating local workers but work to build the capacity of Zambian workers.
The President urged AVIC International to embark on skills transfer in order to build capacity of Zambians so that they can be considered not just for manual jobs but as well as technical jobs.
The President inspected the asphalt plant, the 3.7 km run way, terminal building and air traffic control building.
After the tour, President Lungu expressed satisfaction with the pace of the construction works.
And AVIC International Senior Consultant Lei Yingqv assured President Lungu that the construction of the airport will be completed by the end of 2020.
Mr Lei said his company will ensure that it exercises finacial prudence and responsibility as demonstrated by the revision of project cost from US$574 million to US$397 million.
He said once completed the state of the art airport will handle one million passengers annually.
He said the airport project has generated job opportunities for over 800 local people who have been employed on the project.
Mr Lei also disclosed that US$4.5 million worth of contracts have been given to local Zambian contractors.
He assured President Lungu that further contracts amounting to US$26 million will be awarded to local firms under the 20 per cent threshold once bottlenecks such as delayed designs are sorted out.
Earlier President Lungu inspected rehabilitation works of the Daghammarskjold Underpass bridge in Ndola central business.
The Underbridge road which has been a source of concern to motorists is expected to help decongest Ndola city and link the central business district and industrial area.
WHY AVIC EVERY BIG CONTRACT?
Because you the locals migrated from the greener pastures to become secondary citizens in usa.
Well done ba Kateka wesu. This is what someone somewhere, who knows he will NEVER rule Zambia doesnt want to see and hear! Let the much needed infrastructure be P1 projects. Already, those who can grab the opportunities that come with this type of development are positioning themselves to be support industries whilst others are hating. Nafuti, nafuti iyts big ECL come rain come sunshine, mukose bane mu UPND.
Do you know how much $400million can build you? These Chink airports are poor quality.
Let’s develop this thing! It is UNELECTABLE!
Yaba! IT WILL NOT BE A PRESIDENT! Good job Mr. President!
Chi.kala iwe!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are the ones to be strong when we come for your bolls in 20… it can be any time mwana. People are annoyed and you have failed to read the mood of the people. We shall squeeze your bolls rather hard. Just wait and be alive.
Disaster!!!!!
AVIC again…this is an overpriced tender..how can you challenge a contract to stick to schedule..its just laughable especially on a almost half billion dollar project.
Over priced and all the money is going back to China, only 1% is paid to local businesses, good business deal PF what an achievement….. That’s what happens when u have dander heads doing big deals they fcuken dont understand
And Lungu should stick to the election rule that he’s not eligible for 2021 polls. On another note why did Avic put their African headquarters in Nairobi Kenya yet the bulk of their contracts are in Zambia?
Lazy has no vision and is easily paid off with a small artificial turf ground in daughters ward.
Lazy bum illiterate Mapatizya Formula hooligan tribal bully son of a tribal polygamist father who never taught him toilet training needing a DIAPER change from MUTINTA HICHILEMA and HAKAINDE CHARMAINE HAGAIN. I am glad it is UNELECTABLE. CHILDISH behavior HAGAIN.
Keep HALLUCINATING! It is normal in the TONGA LAND.
The biggest lost opportunity was, when we had eurobonds, we did not get the cream of our students , graduates, engineers and bussiness people and train them in project management and running of companies. Chosen ones should have been provided with loans to form companies.
Zambia would by now not need any foringners and full employment would have been possible….
In the UK there is a rule in public contracts where every £1 spent £1 has to benefit the local community via skills training, jobs, etc.
UPND eat bitter herbs they have BITTER TRIBAL HEARTS. Evil hearts.
I think it is clear that it won’t win in 2021 HAGAIN!
The biggest opportunity was just before the privatization thief shipped the money to PANAMA.
Sharon is studiously following in the footsteps of Anthony Mukwita and Kelly’s Kaunda. Very soon Lungu will announce Sharon as an ambassador
He was trying to say my commission’s should be coming on schedule no delay.
These projects will frog our economy and people will realise and express themselves. You cannot keep borrowing like this. There’s no link between increasing flights into Ndola and expanding the airport. People please wise up!
The dull lazy man thinks its a saving account…the Chinks are laughing at him!!
Lazy bum illiterate Mapatizya Formula tribal hooligan bully son of a tribal polygamist father who is TONGA and never taught him toilet training needing a diaper change HAGAIN from MUTINTA HICHILEMA and CHARMAINE HAKAINDE HAGAIN. UNDER FIVE a THREE MANSIONS is UNELECTABLE.
The real cost of the job is USD 200m. The balance of USD 200m is for the thieves in PF starting with Plot One
@Sharon rumor has it that you are on the list of those being recalled from foreign service. Sorry!
Going around ‘inspecting’ everything is his pass time. Surely these ‘tours’ are for other government officials to undertake? – and why are those workers showing a PF symbol? Is it a requirement or expectation? Pathetic.
By the way, will the new airport attract more passengers? Will the cost be recouped? I think not. It’s when there is a positive change in economic activity and new passenger pressures that necessitates building a bigger expensive airport – not building one in a climate where airlines are struggling for passengers, in the hope that the structure will bring in more business.
it will no doubt become a white jumbo. the thing is a waste of resources
Why revision of project cost from US$574 million to US$397 million. How did they manage to come down. Its clear that the stealing was just too much and the Chinese thought they should not allow the leaders to steal too much but just a little bit. Just imagine a difference of $177million. Besides a project of that magnitude can only cost less than $200million. Just where does the difference go to. I cannot wait to see the new president exposing these PF thieves. HH where are you boss. You know these costs better – advise!!!!
Disaster!!!!!
Stick to 36 months or else what?
How about Solwezi airport and railway station? That’s where the industrial activity will now be located so be as futuristic as the Chinese