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NCIC,NSO unveil CCI to guide contractors amidst cost pressures

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NCIC,NSO unveil CCI to guide contractors amidst cost pressures

By Chisomo Phiri

The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) and National Statistical Office (NSO) have developed Construction Cost Indices (CCI) to guide contractors and developers in planning projects amid rising building material costs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, NCIC Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Gerald Khonje lamented that the construction sector faces significant cost pressures, affecting project timelines, budgets, and quality.



“The sector has faced challenges in planning, budgeting, cost management, and handling cost adjustments, leading to project delays, unattainable projects, abandoned projects, and compromised quality,” said Khonje.

He explained that the CCI will assist the construction industry with price adjustments for projects due to material price changes resulting from currency devaluation.

“Additionally, the CCI will provide short- and long-term cost changes to facilitate more accurate bids and predict future project costs by analyzing past project trends,” he added.

Khonje also noted that some material price hikes are unrealistic and expressed optimism that the CCI will help traders make proper price adjustments.

The indices consider three construction factors: labor, raw materials, and capital costs.

Opposition MPs push for discussion on preliminary report of VP Chilima’s plane crash

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Opposition MPs push for discussion on preliminary report of VP Chilima’s plane crash

By Chisomo Phiri

Opposition Members of Parliament(MPs), led by Leader of the Opposition George Chaponda on Friday urged the government to discuss the preliminary report by German investigators into the June 10, 2024, plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.

Chaponda informed the House that he had submitted a request to discuss the matter and emphasized the need for members to weigh in on the report’s findings.

However, Government Chief Whip Jacob Hara cautioned that the preliminary report should not be considered conclusive, as a comprehensive report is yet to be released.

Said Hara:”Members with questions or concerns should note that this report is from independent investigators, not the government. We can provide clarification where relevant, but cannot directly address the report’s findings.”

The preliminary report revealed critical issues, including the lack of a flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and a non-functional emergency locator transmitter due to an expired battery last replaced in 2004.

The report also showed that the crash occurred 700 meters from a settlement after the aircraft collided with a tree trunk, impacting the right wing’s outer part at a height of 4.5 meters.

Governance experts decry absence of Ministers,MPs from parliamentary proceedings

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Governance experts decry absence of Ministers,MPs from parliamentary proceedings

By Chisomo Phiri

Governance experts Victor Chipofya and Wonderful Mkhutche have expressed disappointment over the absence of some ministers and members of parliament from parliamentary proceedings since the opening of the 50th session of parliament.

The two deem this trend unfortunate and detrimental to the citizenry, advocating for stringent measures against such individuals.

Chipofya emphasizes the need to scrutinize the caliber of representatives

Wonderful Mkhutche

“We must evaluate the character of those we elect, as responsible individuals would not abscond when their contributions are crucial to the nation,” he says.

On the other hand,Mkhutche suggests that the speaker of the house should maintain an accessible register of attendance for ministers and MPs, enabling constituents to monitor their representation.

On Thursday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the Southern region Joseph Mwanamvekha expressed worry about the absenteeism of some ministers, stressing that certain questions require responses from responsible ministers.

Chipofya

Malawi’s new mineral lab to reduce costs

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Malawi’s new mineral lab to reduce costs

By Chisomo Phiri

Director of Administration in the Ministry of Mining Andrew Chisamba has underscored the significance of the State-of-the-Art Mineral Laboratory, which is nearing completion, in reducing government expenditure on mineral analysis and bolstering the effective implementation of the Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy.

In an interview, Chisamba  said the laboratory’s inauguration is imminent, pending final touches expected to be completed within the next month.


He emphasized the laboratory’s importance to the nation, highlighting its capacity for domestic mineral sample analysis, thereby eliminating the need for outsourcing.

He noted the facility’s uniqueness in the region, observing that African countries often rely on external sources for mineral analysis.

While acknowledging Malawi’s abundant mineral resources, particularly critical minerals essential for clean energy production, Chisamba stressed the global demand for these minerals in the context of the transition to clean energy.

Kamlepo calls for discussion on Chilima plane crash report

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Kamlepo calls for discussion on Chilima plane crash report

By Chisomo Phiri

Member of Parliament(MP) for Rumphi East Kamlepo Kalua has urged the House to discuss the interim report on the plane crash that claimed the lives of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others.

Said Kalua:”It is imperative that we address this matter now, as it involves a former Vice President of our nation, whose body was brought into this House.”

The interim report released today by Beaurea of Forensic Investigation (BFU) reveals that the aircraft lacked a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which could have provided vital information about the crash

Kamlepo

This hindered the determination of the exact circumstances surrounding the crash.

Furthermore, the report noted that radar data from the flight on the day of the accident were not recorded, complicating the investigation.

Although a comprehensive report is pending, the interim report has already made several safety recommendations to the Ministers of Defense and Transport to prevent similar accidents in the future.

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