National Construction Authority teams up with Police to enforce construction industry regulations

ISIOLO,Kenya, July 9 – The National Construction Authority has embarked on a sensitization campaign across the 47 counties alongside the National Police Service in a renewed effort to ensure that contractors in the construction industry comply with safety regulations.

Concerns have been raised over the years that contractors and artisans such as masons, welders and plumbers have failed to adhere to industry regulations while working on various projects across the country.

The director of the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) at the office of the Inspector General of Police Dr. Duncan Ochieng said that it was the duty of the National Police Service to help the Construction Authority to achieve their mandate.

“Part of our role will be inspecting the construction works that are ongoing within the county to ensure that only accredited workers are engaged in the building industry, and that the required standards are met to avert future disasters where buildings collapse.” said Ochieng.

The exercise will in its first phase target police commanders across the country to help them better understand safety regulations in the construction industry and apprehend those defying the guidelines.

“we realized that there was an existing gap between NCA and the police, paving way for rogue contractors to continue operating even after their construction sites are suspended for non compliance with the National Building Regulations.” he said.

Meanwhile, the General Manager, Registration and compliance at the National Construction Authority Susan Ruto noted that for a long time, the authority had challenges whereby developers and contractors disregard suspension orders by NCA officials and proceeded with construction works despite glaring non compliance issues.

“NCA officials are often disregarded since they do not arrest the rogue individuals, however  the new partnership with the National Police Service who are the enforcement arm of the government will effectively put an end to such behavior, and consequently bring sanity to the building industry.” said Ruto.

Isiolo has in recent years recorded several deaths at construction sites as a result of non-compliance by some contractors.

“The partnership between the Police and NCA will ensure strict adherence to set regulations in the building industry as all developers and contractors who defy NCA officials will be arrested and subjected to the due course of the law.” said Isiolo County Police Commander Joseph Kigen.