MBARARA.
The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema has tasked the National Building Review Board (NBRB) to make good use of their Building Industry Management System (BIMS) to overcome unnecessary bureaucracy and eliminate wrong elements from the construction sector.
“Through automation, we shall be able to speed up the approval process and improve revenue. This will ensure effective service delivery. The BIMS will help us move together by swiftly driving building control activities,” she said.
Col. Nakalema made the remarks Friday during the closure of a three-day Annual National Building Review Board workshop on building control in Uganda, held at Lake View Hotel, Mbarara City.
The workshop organised by the NBRB, brought together Building Control Officers (BCOs) and Physical Planners (PPs) across the country.
Col. Nakalema also assured the BCOs and Physical Planners of SHIPU’s strategic partnership to ensure a conducive environment for investors in the construction sector.
“We are all key players in building control management. We must ensure we promote efficiency and transparency in the construction sector,” she emphasized.
“There’s good hope of working together for the good of our economic and general development of our country. H.E the President has always emphasized that public service delivery is done well through effective collaboration.”she added
On the other hand, Col. Nakalema highlighted key concerns raised by Ugandans against Physical Planners and BCOs.
According to Col. Nakalema, the concerns have emerged consistently across engagements, sector dialogues, and member consultations.
She pointed out delayed project completion which is caused by delayed payments from clients, poor planning, and mismanagement on the side of builders and contractors.
She also noted that the unfair procurement practices such as lack of transparency in tendering processes are also a matter of concern.
“Perceived favoritism and corruption in awarding contracts. Some procurement requirements are deliberately hiked to fit specific preferred contractors,” she said.
“We also have poor workmanship such as use of substandard materials, engagement of unskilled labor resulting in structural flaws and safety risks.”
The Executive Secretary of NBRB, Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire thanked the Building Control Officers and Physical Planners for committing to improve the quality of infrastructure in Uganda.
“This annual workshop gives us an opportunity to empower our Building Control Officers and Physical Planners and give them the tools that they require to do the assignment,” she said.
On the issue of delays in building plans approval, Eng. Bwire said they now have an automation system that expedites the process.
“If anybody is dissatisfied, they are not left alone, NBRB is here to serve you,” she said.
She also assured Col. Nakalema that NBRB works hand in hand with investors to ensure that they are not frustrated when it comes to building control activities.
“Everything we do as the board is to ensure that our investors are not frustrated because we all need each other,” she noted.
“Our interest is to ensure that our people do their job to improve the quality of infrastructure in our country.”