Engineers body angry over substandard Dundumwezi bridge
By Tony Nkhoma
THE Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) says the collapsed substandard Simwanda Bridge in Dundumwezi Constituency in Kalomo District in Southern Province reveals abuse of Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
EIZ president Wesley Kaluba called for investigations in the use of CDF saying it was criminal to engage in engineering works without proper registration or supervision.
In a statement seen by The Mast Kaluba challenged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Auditor General’s Office to investigate the abuse of CDF funds and possible misconduct of those involved.
“It is criminal to engage in engineering works without proper registration or supervision of engineering works by unregistered engineering professionals. Section 25 of the Engineering Institution of Zambia Act No. 17 of 2010 prohibits the practice of unregistered persons for engineering tasks or consultancy services,” Kaluba said.
He said the revelation of the sub-standard and unsafe construction of the Simwanda Bridge under the CDF in Nalujwa Ward, Dundumwezi Constituency, was a sad development which should not have happened in the first place.
“It is a legal requirement that only registered engineering companies and professionals [engineers, technologists, technicians, and artisans] are permitted to undertake or supervise engineering works,” he said.
Kaluba said the admission by the local authority constituted gross negligence, total disregard for public safety and a violation of the legal and professional standards governing engineering practice in Zambia.
“It is alarming and unacceptable that a public institution [Kalomo Council] has acknowledged, on record, engaging a Contractor without engineering capacity, without qualified engineers on site, and with no appropriate tools, equipment, and construction methods, in the execution of a highly specialised public infrastructure project involving a 60-meter-long bridge,” Kaluba said.
He said the collapse of the Simwanda bridge represented a failure in oversight, compliance, and professional ethics.
