Authority weeds out quacks with mandatory registration of contractors

By MARK KAPCHANGA

Kenya’s construction sector is now gearing up for a major overhaul. This is as the industry regulator, the National Construction Authority (NCA) registers contractors afresh to weed out unscrupulous individuals.

NCA Chief Executive Officer Daniel Manduku said they have started with the compulsory registration of contractors to streamline the operations of the sector.

Previously, contractors were required to register with the Ministry of Public Works but after the inauguration of the National Construction Authority (NCA) in July 2012, this changed.

“NCA has come up with new rules and regulations aimed at getting rid of rogue contractors and reducing malpractices,” said Manduku, adding that within a year, the number of registered contractors had almost doubled from 13,000 to 25,000.

Manduku said the adoption of the NCA Draft Regulation 2014, which is now before Parliament, will give the body teeth to regulate, expand, promote quality assurance and undertake research in the industry.

Building and construction contribute about seven per cent to the country’s gross domestic product. It experienced a 14.1 per cent growth between 2009 and 2013 compared to 4.2 per cent in 2007. It is also the fifth highest employer among all sectors of the economy.

The NCA boss said his goal was to see that the authority becomes financially autonomous.  “I took over office when the authority had about Sh10 million in unpaid dues about a year ago. Today, we have seen our revenues rise steadily.”

NCA will be setting up offices in more than 10 counties in the next two years, a move that will enable contractors to easily access the authority’s services.

“We will also use these offices to fight mediocrity as well as training contractors, especially the youth and women,” he said.

The ongoing construction of roads and private projects have seen critics question the professionalism of the building sector.