ZAMBIAN engineers should apply good practice in design and construction of infrastructure projects to avoid unacceptable quality and premature failures of buildings in the country.

This is according to the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) president, Eugene Milambo Haazele.

Eng. Haazele said it was unfortunate that quality management on infrastructure projects had not delivered in Zambia.

He said this in a statement.

“Our country embarked on a large number of infrastructure development projects country wide. The unfortunate part is that a large number of these projects are stalled due to lack of funding.

“Others have serious quality issues including premature failures, issues with functionality and missing project components essential to the delivery of the overall project amongst many other problems,” he said.

The projects, he said, had endured unacceptable quality and premature failures citing missing electrical sub stations to airports and water pump stations.

“Engineering colleagues, let’s be bold enough and accept the reality that the manner our infrastructure projects are managed has fundamental flaws that, in themselves, are the root cause of the problems that surface from time to time,” Eng. Haazele said.

Eng. Haazele said the current situation called for the engineering professionals to get back to basics.

He urged engineers to advocate for the application of good project management practices, exert more influence on project planning and implementation, apply good practice in design and construction of infrastructure projects.

“The solution to our problems in the delivery of infrastructure lies in a complete over-haul of the project management process, devoting all our effort on curing symptoms, as is the case now, will not help the cause. Above all, let’s stay clear of vices; corruption and bribery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eng. Haazele said the Council approved a focused Strategic Plan for the period 2019-2023.

The plan, he explained, defined a clear vision anchored on the core values of transparency, integrity, accountability, teamwork, innovation and excellence.

“Ultimately, our aim is to attain the status of a world class professional body of engineering professionals that fosters the development of engineering and allied disciplines,” he said.