In a major step toward inclusive development, the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) and the National Council for Construction (NCC) have partnered to promote the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Zambia’s construction industry.
The collaboration aims to break barriers by expanding training opportunities, improving accessibility in learning and work environments, and creating pathways for employment and enterprise participation, ensuring that disability inclusion becomes central to national infrastructure development.
Speaking during the engagement meeting in Lusaka, Eng. Wendy Nambule Mukape, NCC Executive Director, commended ZAPD for initiating dialogue and reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to inclusive service delivery as outlined in the NCC Act of 2010. She noted the need to increase PWD visibility in contracting and training spaces and announced plans for quarterly training intakes for PWDs across NCC campuses.
ZAPD Director General, Mr. Frankson Musukwa, reiterated the Agency’s mandate to empower and mainstream PWDs in all sectors, emphasizing the need to eliminate access barriers in infrastructure and training. Mr. Bornface Tumba, ZAPD Inspector, also highlighted the potential of Kang’onga Farm in Ndola to serve as an inclusive skills training hub.
Both institutions agreed to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and implement immediate joint actions, including capacity-building workshops, inclusive training, and sign language orientation for NCC staff.
The engagement closed on a collaborative note, with ZAPD and NCC reaffirming their shared commitment to inclusive growth and equal participation in Zambia’s construction sector.