The National Construction Authority (NCA) has partnered with Nyandarua County Government to train contractors in a bid to raise the standards of developmental structures in the region.
Public Works Chief Officer Architect Lawrence Gitau said the training of the contractors was a way of ensuring only registered contractors were engaged in creating sustainable and safe infrastructure and buildings for the residents.
“When investors know that they will come to a county that is well regulated and the infrastructure and buildings they put up will not collapse or be demolished, then it becomes a good place to invest,” said Gitau.
He noted that devolution had ensured the Nyandarua sleeping townships were growing with better habitable standards hence the move to champion better infrastructures.
“We want to ensure that those undertaking construction projects in the county are registered and up to speed with development in the construction industry, while upholding highest standards,” noted the Chief Officer.
Central Regions Registration and Compliance Manager Susan Ruto said a stakeholders’ forum had been necessitated by the mushrooming substandard buildings in the county.
“Enforcement of construction laws has been a challenge as contractors and investors defy suspension orders, which is against the law and they risk being penalized,” she said.
“These trainings will build capacity of the contractors and skill construction workers,” she added noting that NCA would continue to credit skilled workers and contractors for quality work.
Approval of construction work by the County and other lead agencies like National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), she said, were key in ensuring quality buildings.
Ms. Ruto noted that NCA was committed to research and training to ensure innovation and use of new technologies is adopted by local contractors.
The officers spoke in OlJororok, Nyandarua County Friday where they brought together stakeholders in the industry in highlighting challenges they encountered in the county.
By Anne Sabuni
