Adopting Quality Standards and Professionalism Could Invalidate the Need for Expensive Inspectorate Interventions

By Mwangi Wanjumbi – Newtimes B. S. CEO & Chief Consultant/Trainer

At least Mother Nature’s anger has now subsided.  She was indeed very angry with mankind, especially in our part of the world. That is the only way we can explain the recent and very devastating loss of lives through the impact of floods and landslides.  Sadly, the infrequent torrents also contributed more to the mayhem by washing away vehicles and lives even within the proximity of the city of Nairobi.

However, my attention has been attracted more by the collapse of a 6 storey building in Westlands, Nairobi and yet another 3 storey building that was undergoing construction far away in Bungoma town, Western Kenya. Surely, what is happening to the investing public? And what of city and urban authorities charged with the respective inspection? Witness this.

It is a sunny Saturday afternoon. We are in the process of finalizing some paintwork in our domestic premises. The final tasks involve checking and repairing minor roof leakages. That means climbing up the roof top to put things in order. Alongside, something unexpected happens. A battalion of city council askaris who are accompanied by site inspectors arrive in a covered pick up, bearing their unmistakable green number plates.

“Wapi Leseni ya ujenzi (where is the construction license)?” the group leader yells at the two artisans that we have engaged. “Ingia kwa gari haraka kama hakuna (quickly get into the vehicle, if it is not available,” he directs.

Instead, the shaken artisans rush into the house for assistance. I come out to reason with the seemingly enraged officers. They insist that no domestic improvements whatsoever should happen without a city council license. This turn of events on this simple paintworks project puts us off balance. After pleading extensively, we are eventually spared further agony, but asked to belatedly collect the license the following Monday.

This factual and recent experience brings to mind the never ending cases of collapsed buildings. Indeed, the city council and other national authorities can hardly escape responsibility. Or can they? In fact, hardly a few months pass without news of collapsing buildings in numerous corners of Nairobi.  Many of us have lost count of the wasted resources and opportunities, as we have now been reminded through the Westlands and Bungoma case.

Alongside, many lives of construction workers have also been lost. Indeed, it is mind boggling how such occurrences continue almost uncontrollably, despite the seemingly watchful eyes of those charged with inspection of the project implementation processes. Ideally, if the supervision is as efficient as portrayed in our domestic case, it is doubtful whether the construction disasters would be as bad as has been the case.  Nonetheless, what are the holistic implications of these disasters?

Insights into the discipline of values and ethics bring out some 3 motives, which lead to these horrible scenarios. One is the profit motive. Most investors will go to any length to minimize their costs. That is despite aiming to reap maximum benefits in rent for instance, at the earliest opportunity.

In the process, they violate the moral motive, which is hinged on such attributes as fairness, respect for lives of others and more. It seems that the idea here is mainly to play compliance tricks with the legal motive, with respect to statutory requirements that govern the construction industry and others in the national economy.

Fate however presents different loss situations. Topmost of the list is the needless loss of resources in terms of time, human and even investment capital. Incidentally, when construction workers die in the ill fated projects, the country loses invaluable skills that could have continued contributing to nation building.

Likewise, the lost investment capital that may have been acquired through loans would have to be re-paid, without any regard to the circumstances of loss. Even if not from borrowed funds, it is misinformed risk management practices to invest in long term projects, but be guided by poor motives. Moreover, is it not prudent to consider the lost opportunities of addressing the needs targeted by the completed projects? Further, what of the lost contribution to national progress?

Naturally, every project however small contributes to national progress. That is why national authorities should be more stringent in ensuring that quality standards are adhered to by all concerned. Perhaps, the work of inspectors could be upgraded to incorporate measures of educating the investing public.  Indeed, emphasis should be on respecting quality and professionalism, which may no doubt result to automatic compliance. That approach invariably benefits all the stakeholders, more so in the long run. Ideally, common understanding indicates that well constructed buildings should outlast the national leasehold period of 99 years.

Consequently, it does not pay to take shortcuts or allowing the same to happen especially on long term investment projects. Ideally, a paradigm shift on respecting and embracing quality standards and professionalism needs to override the compliance requirements for the good of all stakeholders. That makes sense compared to the current situation where compliance requirements are infringed at will, despite seemingly tight surveillance by the authorities concerned. Meanwhile, may you reflectively enjoy this blessed week, even as you consider embracing our paradigm shift oriented solutions

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