PROPOSED LEVY ON BUILDING MATERIAL IMPORTS

MBABANE - The draft regulations for the construction industry come with major changes.

Much of the spadework has been done for the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Draft Regulations and they now wait for tabling in parliament. Among the major proposals is the imposing of a levy on certain building materials imported by contractors. This is aimed at protecting the local market. In yesterday’s virtual engagements with the Eswatini Business engagements with the hardware retailers, CIC CEO Nhlanhla Dlamini assured that much groundwork had been covered as the regulations were presented in cabinet and got a green light from the Attorney General’s office.

If all goes according to plan, they should be tabled in Parliament before the end of the year. The regulations also come with proposed accredited industrial laboratorities. They shall be identified by the CIC for monitoring of construction and building material and related products and quality assurance for all projects registered with the council. “The laboratory shall be continuously audited by certification body to ensure integrity and continuous improvement of the processes within the laboratory in line with the latest technology available within the industry,” shared CIC through Machawe Mnisi in yesterday’s event.In the regulations, there also sanctions for breach of code of conduct. They include de-registration.

Others include issuing of a warning, which may remain valid for a period not exceeding one year; downgrading the contractor; imposing a fine not exceeding E100 000; and restricting or prohibiting the contractor from participating in public sector construction works procurement for a maximum of 10 years. When it comes to dispute and conflict resolution, the regulation provide for the establishment of a Disciplinary Committee and Dispute and Conflict Resolutions Committee.

independent

“Matters shall be heard by independent members who have the necessary knowledge and technical understanding of the industry but without conflict of interest. In his opening remarks, CIC CEO Nhlanhla Dlamini, had stressed on ensuring a conducive environment created for businesses through, among other things ensuring timely payments for work done (including in supplying of construction materials). “On the other hand, businesses have an important role to play by ensuring that they too understand what is required of them when doing business within the ambit of available legislation. ‘This results in a multiplier effect as consumers will get value for money, and as it is an undeniable fact that all of us participating today are also consumers, this becomes a win-win situation for society as a whole,” he said.

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