By Mbono Mdluli
Mbabane – The (CIC) has urged all stakeholders in Eswatini’s construction sector to enhance and adapt their practices to withstand increasingly severe weather patterns.
According to CIC, the industry must not only improve its overall standards but also adopt innovative approaches to address unpredictable weather events, including heavy rains and heat waves. This call to action follows a week of persistent rainfall that has wreaked havoc across the country, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and claiming the lives of three individuals.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) reports that the recent rains have affected 313 people, damaged 62 houses, impacted 10 critical infrastructure facilities, and compromised two additional residential properties.
CIC Chief Executive Officer, Machawe Mnisi, emphasized the urgent need for industry players to elevate construction standards and ensure the use of high-quality materials. Speaking to Eswatini TV, Mnisi expressed concern about the vulnerability of current infrastructure to adverse weather conditions, which has left many citizens severely affected.
Mnisi also called on the government to enforce stringent quality controls on building materials entering the country. He stressed that high-quality materials are essential for constructing resilient homes and infrastructure, such as roads, that can endure harsh environmental challenges.
Additionally, Mnisi proposed a collaborative effort with contractors to explore advanced construction technologies and designs tailored to withstand severe weather. He noted that these innovations should also align with environmentally sustainable practices. To support this initiative, the CIC is working on drafting legislation to provide regulatory guidance for the construction sector.
The CIC, established under the Construction Industry Council Act No. 14 of 2013, is a government parastatal tasked with upholding industry standards. Its primary mandate is to ensure the construction of safe and durable infrastructure to protect lives and enhance the quality of life in Eswatini.
