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Jua kali artisans given notice to be accredited by construction authority

The  Jua Kali artisans in the building and construction sector have been given notice to seek accreditation from the
National  Construction  Authority (NCA).

According to the Upper Eastern Regional Coordinator (RC) of the National Construction Authority who oversees operations in Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu Counties, Festus  Mariera the accreditation would be free of charge.

Mariera  urged  all contractors and artisans working in the construction industry within the region to ensure that they  are  accredited, adding that the authority was now giving free accreditation within NCA offices and at Huduma Centres.

The  RC  made the remarks  on Tuesday in Isiolo town during a meeting with contractors and artisans in the industry drawn from the  region.

He  asked them to take advantage of the free offer since they will be required to pay a fee of Sh.1000 for artisans and  the  site inspectors, Sh. 2,000 for accreditation services after the free certification period lapses on June 30, this year.

Mariera  noted  that  it  was important for all workers in the construction industry to be accredited in order to weed out  unqualified personnel who could be masquerading as skilled workers from construction sites.

He  said that the move will ensure quality work and reduce incidents where houses either collapse or are brought down by the authority due to poor workmanship.

“Harsh penalties on those who fail to comply were in the offing, just as it is the case with contractors,” the coordinator  said.

Contractors and workers in the Small and Medium Enterprises in Isiolo also decried the trend by both the County government  and private developers to give contracts to foreigners, especially the Chinese, leaving out local merchants.

At  the same time, the Chairperson, Isiolo Contractors’ Association, Ismail Galma noted that the County

government was currently undertaking six major projects, including the construction of Isiolo market, a stadium, the County headquarters and the Ngarendare bridge and all the projects being handled by foreign companies.

Galma complained that the contractors even sourced building material from Nairobi instead of promoting local business people for economic empowerment.

He argued that skilled masons, carpenters, welders, plumbers and electricians have also been ignored, with the contractors opting to work with people from other parts of the country.

By  Victoria Nkatha/ Lydia Njenga/David Nduro

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