National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) on Wednesday 23rd August 2023 launched Malawi Infrastructure Delivery Management Standards (MIDMS) which is aimed at delivering quality infrastructure projects in the country.
The MIDMS as a guide, is rich knowledge on how infrastructure projects are supposed to be conceived, planned, designed, procured, implemented and maintained.
Speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Madalo Nyambose commended the move as timely saying it is also in line with President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s vision of developing quality infrastructure in the country.
“I am particularly delighted that this is coming at a time when government, under the leadership of the President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is determined to build a new Malawi, ” she said.
She then expressed delight that the launch has come shortly after NCIC also launched its Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2028 in May this year.
Nyambose called on the industry to focus on building strong structures as those built during late Malawi’s first President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda era.
“Look those structures are still standing and they are in good shape than those built in these days. Our infrastructure development programs have mostly been characterized by bottlenecks that have hindered attainment of various milestones including the then Vision 2020 and the Malawi Development Goals (MDGs),” she explained.
“But I am happy to announce to you that this is a dawn of a new era where things will be done differently. I am glad to announce that government is taking a new trajectory where infrastructure projects will be delivered efficiently and with Quality in order to accelerate the attainment of Vision 2063.”
She added that launching of the program is a testimony of governments intent to walk the talk on efficient infrastructure delivery to the people of Malawi.
“As a ministry responsible for transport and public works, we are fully aware of the impact that infrastructure has on the social-economic wellbeing of the country. We know infrastructure has a role in the supply of energy (as in fuel transportation and electricity generation), trade facilitation (as in one-stop border posts and cross boarder road network), education, health, agriculture; the list is long. So as a Ministry, we remain steadfast to ensure the country is on course with regards to quality infrastructure development,” she added.
“I wish to urge all of us to take advantage of this window to bring forward proposals that will provide enduring solutions to infrastructure procurement challenges that the country has hitherto being encountering,” she said.
NCIC Chief Executive Officer Engineer Gerald Khonje, said the infrastructure delivery management standard will help to promote quality.
“The health sector needs infrastructure, just as well as the agriculture sector which produces food. Virtually every part of our lives is intertwined with infrastructure,” he said.
Khonje said there is need to achieve aspirations of achieving the industry by ensuring quality, integrity, partnership, agility, and innovation with stakeholders remaining at the center stage.
“The launch of the Malawi Infrastructure Delivery Management Standards is a timely intervention for the contemporary times we live in and contemporary environmental issues we must deal with. As NCIC, we are ready to lead from the front in providing solutions for the construction industry and with support from all of you our stakeholders, the sky is never the limit,” he said
“The MIDMS will act as a guide to all construction industry players for them to be able to implement quality infrastructure as it will close the knowledge gaps that has hitherto hindered quality.”