Elcam calls for Mera, NCIC coordination
The Electrical Contractors Association of Malawi (Elcam) has called for coordination between the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) and the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) in classifying contractors, particularly in the electrical field.
The 300-member Elcam, in reaction to a joint statement by the energy and construction industry regulators this week, said the two entities need to offer a general certification to electrical contractors when they have undergone installation assessment interviews.
The statement, signed by NCIC chief executive officer Linda Phiri and her counterpart at Mera, Eunice Potani, advised the public on the organisations’ roles and mandates in connection with the registration of electrical contractors.
It also clarified the process and approach for registration of electrical contractors.
But in reaction Elcam said: “While we welcome their statement, we want to urge the two organisations to ensure that their classes tally. What we have observed is that there is no coordination between them and it seems they do not speak one language because the classes they offer are different.”
The group has faulted the involvement of NCIC in the electrical contractors’ as unnecessary, suspecting that the construction industry regulator wants to favour foreign contractors.
Elcam said it wants local electrical contractors to advance in their field.
But the NCIC and Mera’s joint statement said the former is empowered under its Act has the responsibility to register and prescribe categories for contractors, consultants, construction material manufacturer and suppliers.
“Section (20) 1 of the NCIC Act prohibits anyone from carrying out business in the construction industry unless registered under this Act and Section (20) 2 prohibits anyone from carrying on business of a category in respect of which they are not registered.
“It is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the NCIC to register and categorise all contractors, including electrical contractors,” reads the joint statement.
It said any person, partnership or incorporated company to operate as electrical contractors shall apply to NCIC for registration of their companies and that their applications will be examined in regard to their registration upon being satisfied that they have a valid electrical installations permit issued by Mera.
But since electrical contractors operate in the energy sector, Mera regulates all individuals that operate in the sector.
“Mera shall, therefore, require that all individuals operating in the energy sector, whether employed or operating their own businesses should undergo an installations assessment interview,” said the statement.
Recently, Elcam complained of the influx of uncertified electrical contractors, amid cases of some buildings catching fire mainly arising from electrical faults largely because of poor workmanship.
Elcam president Montfort Mataya earlier told Business News the grouping is committed to ensuring that there is safety in the wiring of property in Malawi.
But he faulted some government officials for being barriers in the group’s fight to put an end to all irregularities, malpractices and dirtiness in the electrical installation industry.
“Some of these officials give contracts in a hidden manner to the people who cannot deliver. Transparency in such works is critical not to put people’s lives in jeopardy,” he said.
