National Association for Medium and Small Scale Contractors (NAMSSC) says the Engineering Institution of Zambia’s (EIZ) condemnation and public declaration of Society Business Park as a “Disaster in Waiting” after many months from the completion of the project is disappointing to the Engineering Profession.

In a statement issued to Money FM News, NAMSSC General Secretary Danny Simumba says it is also an indication and confirmation that Quality Control Measures, “like inspection and testing of materials” when used or employed in isolation may not be adequate to achieve the desired Quality of any Infrastructural product like Society Business Park Building.

Mr. Simumba further says the Inspection and Testing approach to Quality which EIZ and National Council for Construction (NCC) are traditionally accustomed should be revisited, reviewed and supported by other spheres of Quality.

“The EIZ and NCC should not concentrate their effort on Quality Control measures only, whenever they are carrying out their duties of regulating Engineering Professionals and Practice as well as construction undertakings.”
“They should instead take an integrated approach to Quality Management by looking at a broader picture; they ought to begin focusing on and embracing all spheres of quality whenever they are involved in any activity of Engineering and Construction nature,” he advised.

Mr. Simumba who is also an Expert in Quality, and an Engineering Professional indicates that Construction and Engineering Sectors in Zambia should change their approach to the way “Quality” is managed and handled on infrastructural projects.

He says this is if the country is to end “Shoddy Works” and save colossal sums of money spent due to poor quality of works and ensure that Zambians get value for money spent on various infrastructural projects.

“This demands pro-activeness from both private and statutory institutions such as the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) and National Council for Construction (NCC) respectively; whose mandates extend to ensuring and guaranteeing Quality aspects of Engineering and construction infrastructure are adequately realized,” Mr. Simumba said.