NCC Inspects 613 Projects

Prof. Makasa says, 34 Contractors Charged, 22 Sites Closed

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (18-02-2026) – The National Council for Construction (NCC) recorded major progress in 2025, including a 6.1 percent rise in contractor registrations, 613 project inspections, revived industry engagements, and the launch of its first diploma programmes.

Speaking during a performance review briefing, NCC Board Chairperson Professor Paul L.K. Makasa said the progress was driven by increased infrastructure works such as road rehabilitation, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects, and public-private partnerships.

Professor Makasa said the Council issued 14,253 contractor registration certificates in 2025, with 97 percent going to Zambian-owned contractors. 

He noted that Grade 6 contractors made up 35 percent of registrations, reflecting strong participation by small and medium enterprises. 

He said the increase shows improved compliance with the NCC Act No. 10 of 2020 and growing citizen involvement in the construction sector.

On inspections, Professor Makasa disclosed that the NCC visited 613 construction projects across eight provinces. 

Of these, 258 were stalled or abandoned, 77 were completed and handed over, while 22 sites were closed due to serious regulatory breaches. 

He added that 34 contractors were formally charged, and 44 were issued warnings for non-compliance.

On industry engagement, Professor Makasa said the Council revived the BuildZambia Conference and Expo, attracting participants from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Tanzania. 

He announced that the 2026 edition will be held from September 21 to 23, with confirmed participation from Kenya and Rwanda.

Professor Makasa said the NCC opened a Northern Region Office in Mpika to improve access to services in Northern and Muchinga Provinces. 

The office recorded 242 registrations in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 108 during the same period in 2024. 

He added that outreach services will expand to Solwezi in 2026, and later to Mongu and Mansa in 2027.

Professor Makasa said the National Construction School trained over 600 participants in 2025 through Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) programmes, diploma courses, and short online programmes. 

At the vocational level, 195 students were trained — a 13.4 percent increase from 2024 — in areas such as earth-moving equipment operation, road construction and maintenance, land surveying, construction materials testing, and occupational safety and health. 

Pass rates exceeded 75 percent, with youth accounting for over 80 percent of trainees and female participation at 17 percent.

Professor Makasa said the Council launched two inaugural diploma programmes — Diploma in Highway Engineering and Diploma in Building Construction Works Monitoring and Management — enrolling 48 students to address supervision and quality control gaps in infrastructure projects. 

Additionally, 205 professionals were trained through online short courses in contract management, site supervision, and occupational safety and health, with female participation rising from 15 percent to 33 percent.

Looking ahead, Professor Makasa said the NCC will relaunch its enhanced Online Registration System in 2026 to improve transparency, reduce congestion at physical offices, and strengthen compliance monitoring. 

He said the Council will also prioritise enforcement of fair pricing, timely project delivery, and strict adherence to technical standards in line with the Eighth National Development Plan.

“The year 2025 laid a solid foundation for institutional growth, improved service delivery, and stronger engagement with the construction industry,” Professor Makasa said. 

“In 2026, we will consolidate these gains as we continue to regulate, promote professionalism, and safeguard quality infrastructure delivery.”