Don’t compromise on quality Construction companies should not compromise on quality despite the challenges they face, the deputy minister of industrialisation, trade and SME development Piet van der Walt has said.Van der Walt said the government is aware of challenges like the current water shortage and the suspension of government tenders due to the national budget cuts, and is working hard towards minimising these problems.
He made these remarks during the signing of a cooperation agreement by the Namibian Standards Institution and the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) in Windhoek on Tuesday.
The cooperation agreement enables NSI to advise CIF members on applicable standards for relevant industry sectors.
The NSI will also offer training to CIF members on the importance and application of standards, as well as provide discounts on certification fees for CIF members on all marks of conformity during the member’s first year of application.
“This cooperation agreement between the NSI and CIF speaks to the ideals of the Harambee Prosperity Plan where institutions work together for a common goal, raising awareness on application of standards in the construction industry for safety of consumers and the protection of environment,” Van der Walt said.
Also speaking at the event was NSI CEO Chie Wasserfall, who emphasised the importance of adopting regional and international standards, saying that they make the industry more efficient and effective.
“They solve problems and provide solutions in all stages of the construction development process. They also provide construction industry stakeholders with the information they need to compete in the global market,” she said.
NAMPA