The Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) has emphasized the need for stakeholders to work together to deliver quality infrastructure in Malawi.
Speaking at a joint stakeholders conference in Salima on Wednesday, CIRA Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Khonje stressed that collaboration is key to achieving this goal.
Khonje explained that CIRA hosted the conference, bringing together high-level stakeholders from government departments, ministries, corporations, the private sector, financial institutions, professional boards, and civil society, including the media to discuss various issues that influence and affect the construction industry and delivery of infrastructure in the country.
“This is a grouping that involves high-level stakeholders comprising government departments, ministries as well as corporations, private sector, financial institutions, professional boards as well as civil society including the media where we are discussing various issues that influence as well as affect the construction industry and delivery of infrastructure in the country,” he said.
The conference was organised under the theme “Deliberate Quality Infrastructure,” and it covered a range of topics, including financing, climate-resilient infrastructure, project management in local councils, and research and innovation.
Khonje also revealed that CIRA has introduced infrastructure delivery management standards guidelines that cover project planning, procurement, implementation, operation, and maintenance which will help stakeholders through the process of maintaining the lifespan of infrastructure, saving resources.
He added that the standards aim to promote a culture of professionalism and accountability in the construction industry.
Minister of Transport Jappie Mhango, who also spoke at the conference, emphasized the government’s commitment to developing quality infrastructure.
“As a country its true we do not have everything that is required when it comes to construction, we import some materials and we will continue doing so to make sure that materials that are required for construction are made available in this country,” he said.
