NCIC Stops 7 Projects Over Fire-Cured Bricks

The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) says it has managed to stop construction of seven public and commercial projects which were using the banned fire cured bricks from January this year.

NCIC corporate affairs officer Lyford Gideon, says authorities in Balaka, Mchinji, Zomba, Mwanza and Rumphi were using unsustainable construction materials to construct the offices and school blocks which is a contravention of the gazetted 2018 regulations.

Gideon has observed that "lack of awareness on the ban and the continued requirement by some development partners for the communities to contribute on the projects, is forcing them to bake bricks".

He has since issued a fresh warning that failure to comply with any provision of these regulations shall constitute an offence and culprits will be dealt with accordingly.

Meanwhile, environmentalist Mathews Malata told Zodiak Online on Thursday that the implementation of the ban is facing the challenges since all players are not on the same page on clear actions, directions and guidance.

Malata suggests that the government should create zones in implementing the different measures, for instance, in cities and rural areas.

"Seven is a very small number, but we needed to start from somewhere. So for us to deal with this issue we need to see how we can do the whole thing in phases and create zones to apply different measures depending on where the project is taking place", Malata suggested.

According to the ban,  all cities, towns and district councils are required to approve only such projects that specify and utilize construction materials that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

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