Mining & Trade News

The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) says the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has affected operations and the supply chain of the construction industry.

NCIC CEO Linda Phiri told Mining & Trade Review in an interview that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the construction industry due to the sector’s over reliance on imported products and government’s restriction measures to ease the spread of the virus, which have lowered work performance.

Phiri said: “The Construction Industry has been affected mainly in three perspectives, first is the disturbance of the supply chain including source of materials both imported and local materials as borders, shops and factories either have remained closed or scaled down on operations.”

“Secondly, the operations on sites had to be scaled down or modified which has affected the rate of progress of the works; and finally incorporation of measures to control and manage the spread of the pandemic has affected the financial performance of the construction industry.”

Phiri said the pandemic has also affected the council’s financial performance following the suspension of all trainings that the council offer and charges its levy.

The NCIC’s financial performance is directly related to the performance of the construction industry as levy is charged on completed and certified works.

Phiri said since the trainings have been suspended and most projects slowed down, the rate of levy collection has slowed down, and this as well has resulted in non-collection of fees.

“Following the disturbances in the stated financial sources of the Council, if the situation continues to the end of the year the Council could lose over 30% of its revenue from levies and over 70% of its revenue from training fees,” she said.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to fight against the pandemic, the Council has collaboratively implemented guidelines in all construction sites to ensure that all players are in line with certified preventive measures.

She said the guidelines include; ensuring proper sanitation facilities are in place and procedures properly followed with regard to personal hygiene, sanitizing and restrictive use of tools and equipment; social distancing; and general management of site.

Phiri urged stakeholders in all construction sites to follow the guidelines warning that the Council will be the daily watchdog monitoring compliance and that all non-complying projects will be suspended as a penalty.

NCIC works in liaison with various stakeholders identifying areas that need standards or adoption of standards and coordinating the development of various standards for the construction industry, and promoting the use and compliance with standards.

The Council also plays the role of ensuring that all contractors, consultants, material manufacturers and suppliers and all players in the construction industry are operating within roles set forth in the NCI Act of 1996 and codes of ethics of 2009.

Certification from the council gives a path way for construction companies to carry out construction related activities in Malawi while committing to professional and ethical conduct.

The Council also ensures that the players give a paramount consideration to issues of safety, health and welfare of the public; perform services only in areas of their competence; refrain from any corrupt practices and deception acts; and conduct themselves honorably and lawfully.

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