NKOMBO WARNS COUNCILS

By Kalobwe Bwalya

ANYONE who will be found giving a certification to a building that is substandard risks losing their job, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo has warned.

The minister has cautioned directors of engineering in councils against certifying buildings that were of sub-standard saying those found wanting risked losing their jobs.

The minister was responding to concerns raised by the Zambia Institute of Architects on the poor quality of some Community Development Fund (CDF) projects.

In an interview, Mr Nkombo said that all stages of projects must be monitored and approved by designated officers and should be of good and high quality and directed all local authorities to ensure high-quality CDF projects were delivered before payments were made.

He explained that it was shameful that some engineers were certifying substandard works knowing to it that they would not last long.

He said every respected local authority should cancel any works that were below standards before payment or approval was done.

He said he would not hesitate to have anyone fired because some engineers had continuously approved shoddy works deliberately adding that the government would not allow or condone shoddy works because it was a waste of national resources which should benefit the Zambian people.

“Anybody who will be found wanting by giving certification to a building that is substandard and of poor quality risks losing their job because the Government is spending a lot of money for projects across the country,” Mr. Nkombo warned.

And Mr Nkombo said engineers should be taking an oath before approving any payment in order to avoid approving shoddy works.

The minister disclosed that he would soon start conducting checks on some of the projects that were underway to ascertain their quality.

He said he had been receiving complaints from the general public claiming some contractors who were contracted to carry works did not do quality work.

He said that any work that would be of low quality and standard would be detected, adding that there was no excuse for delivery of below standard building.

“The Government has placed great importance on infrastructure development as it forms the foundation of the country’s special economic development. Therefore, the Government will not continue wasting money on works that are below standard,” he said.