Zimbabwe's Ministry of Public Works is proposing a construction industry council bill in 2011 to protect the public from receiving sub-standard products and to contribute to the provision of a well-built environment, according to deputy minister Aguy Georgias.
Georgias told delegates at the Zimbuild conference that the process of coming up with a construction industry bill began as far back as 2007.
He said extensive research on the bill has been carried out in some of Zimbabwe's neighbouring countries. "The same process has been resuscitated with a view to have a legal framework of this very important industry of the country. A sound construction industry is the backbone of a country's economy," said Georgias.
He said various professionals such as architects, engineers and quantity surveyors had raised concerns on their roles in the initial draft bill.
"This has now been addressed in the current draft," he added.
He said the bill would provide for the establishment and administration of the Zimbabwe Construction Industry Council, which would allow for the registration of construction companies and projects, and regulate the activities of the construction industry through appropriate regulations.
Georgias said his legal department had completed the examination of the draft bill.
"After incorporating the agreed additions and alterations highlighted by the stakeholders, the draft is required to be submitted to the attorney general's office for its examination and approval," he said.
After finalizing on the bill the attorney general will submit it to the cabinet committee for legislation for the approval of the cabinet and its enactment.
"I hope very soon Zimbabwe's construction industry will have its very essentially needed framework, which will help them grow and contribute positively to the economy," Georgias added.