By Jeremiah Mphande
Mzimba May 11, Mana: Minister Of Transport And Public Infrastructure Ralph Jooma Has Issued A Stern Warning To All Contractors In The Country Who Are Not Complying With Covid-19 Precautionary Measures As Directed By Government.
Jooma Delivered The Warning On Thursday In Mzimba During An Emergency Inspection Tour He Conducted At Chimkusa Construction Site Where Manobeccompany Is Constructing The M’mbelwa District Council Stadium.
“While I Commend The Contractor Manobec For The Job Well Done In The Ongoing Construction Of A State Of The Art Stadium In Mzimba, I Also Urge Them To Strictly Observe The Precautionary Measure For Covid-19 While Doing Their Work In Order To Stop The Spread Of Covid-19,” Said Jooma.
He Said His Ministry Through The National Construction Industry Council (Ncic) Will Suspend All Contractors If Found Defying Covid-19 Guidelines For Construction Industries.
In His Remarks Ncic Director Of Regulation And Enforcement Gerald Khonje Said Following The Government’s Directive On Covid-19 Measures, It Is Therefore A Prerogative For All Contractors To Comply With The Requirements To Substantiate The Already Existing Guidelines.
He Said As Ncic It Is Their Responsibility To Monitor The Compliance Levels Of The Construction Industry Players As They Execute Their Work.
“In This Monitoring Exercise That Will Be Conducted Countrywide We Are Therefore Checking Whether Contractors Are Complying With Regulations, Guidelines As Well As Standards To Avert The Spread Of Covid19,” Stressed Khonje.
He Said All Contractors Should Develop A Covid-19 Action Plan Which Will Be Enforced By Health And Safety Officers Who Are Stationed On Every Site As Provided For In The General Conditions Of The Contract.
Mzimba District Director Of Health And Social Services Dr. Lumbani Munthali Concurred With The Khonje¡¯S Remarks Saying It Is A Must For All Visitors Entering The Construction Site To Be Screened To Ensure They Are Not Exhibiting Symptoms.
“Apart From Other Covid-19 Precautionary Measures, All Contractors Should Make Sure That Each Construction Site Has A Non-Contact Temperature Sensor Gadget For Measuring Temperature Of All Workers Which Will Be Manned By A Health And Safety Officer,” Said Munthali
According To Munthali Mzimba District Hospital Is Now Able To Conduct Tests For Coronavirus At Its Molecular Laboratory Catering For Mzimba And Kasungu Districts.