Air Force Could Take Over Projects Abandoned By Contractors

Special assistant to the president for project monitoring and implementation Andrew Chellah has said the government is considering using the nation’s air force to complete construction on projects which contractors have abandoned. 

Mr Chellah announced the possibility during a meeting with Zambia Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. David Muma before being given a tour of ZAF headquarters. 

He said he had every confidence that the air force could deliver on infrastructure projects, insisting that the military has a long history of experience in the construction sector. 

Mr Chellah added that Zambian contractors should improve their skills and knowledge in order to take over from foreign contractors, however it is unclear how that will be possible when lucrative infrastructure projects may now be given to the military instead of local businesses. 

Mr Chellah did not elaborate on this but rather took part in a test drive on a new runway at ZAF HQ, currently being constructed by Chinese firm AVIC International.

Lt. Gen. Muma also announced that the air force was considering extending the use of its headquarters to allow domestic flights. He said the ZAF would soon be conducting talks with relevant officials including national airports.