LUSAKA – The Organized People’s Party (OPP) has announced that it will establish the Office of the Engineer General (EG) if elected into government, saying the move will strengthen engineering standards and improve the delivery of national infrastructure projects.
In a statement issued on July 3, 2026, OPP President Dr. Brian Mushimba said Zambia’s economy and development agenda require greater involvement of engineers, technicians, and other technical professionals in planning and implementing national projects.
OPP Says Zambia Needs More Technical Leadership
According to Dr. Mushimba, Zambia’s economy is largely driven by mining, which is a highly technical industry, while the country’s growing infrastructure needs require sound engineering expertise.
“Zambia is a technical country. Our economy is anchored on mining, which is fundamentally a technical industry,” Dr. Mushimba said.
“At the same time, Zambia remains a construction site because the infrastructure deficit demands continuous investment in roads, energy, water, housing and industrial facilities.”
He said these realities highlight the need for technical experts to play a more central role in national development.
Office of the Engineer General Proposed
The OPP leader said an OPP administration would officially gazette the Office of the Engineer General to oversee engineering standards across government projects.
According to the party, the proposed office would ensure engineering excellence from project design through implementation and completion.
“The mandate of the Engineer General will be to place engineering and engineering standards at the centre of all national development programmes, projects and procurement,” Dr. Mushimba stated.
“From design to delivery, technical integrity will be non-negotiable.”
Focus on Accountability and Quality
Dr. Mushimba said the proposed office would help ensure that public infrastructure projects are implemented with competence, accountability, and measurable results.
He added that engineering professionals would be given greater responsibility in driving development across all provinces and districts.
“Under OPP leadership, we will use our collective expertise and engineering knowledge to build this nation with competence, accountability and measurable results,” he said.
“The recognition of our engineering professionals will not come from rhetoric, but from the works they will deliver across every province and district under our administration.”
Engineering at the Centre of Development
The Organized People’s Party believes Zambia already has the technical skills needed to accelerate development but requires leadership that prioritises professional standards.
“Zambia has the skills. Zambia has the standards. Under the OPP, Zambia will have the leadership to put both to work,” Dr. Mushimba said.
The proposal forms part of the party’s policy agenda as political campaigns intensify ahead of Zambia’s August 13, 2026 General Elections.