A Construction Technology and Management Professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has expressed concerns about the lack of infrastructure, tools, and equipment for engineers at the District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies to effectively monitor and carry out their work.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Local Government Services Engineers Association in Kumasi, on the theme “Ensuring A Sustainable Infrastructure Development – The Role of Local Government service Engineers” Prof. Joshua Ayarkwa said the fact that “we recruit [someone] and fail to provide the necessary tools for the person to deliver” is a problem that only affects African countries.
‘’We don’t equip engineers to ensure works are done effectively. This means that the money will go to waste,” he lamented
Assemblies, according to the former Provost of the College of Art and Built Environment (CABE), don’t comprehend the problem of sustainable infrastructure development, which causes works departments to suffer greatly in terms of resources.
“We don’t understand the issue of sustainability when it comes to infrastructure delivery. Because the little money that we have is used to provide infrastructure yet we don’t equip the engineers to be able to monitor to ensure that the works are done effectively.”
“If engineers do not have the resources to ensure that projects are completed in accordance with established standards, the work completed at the assemblies won’t last tomorrow.
“So, there will be no infrastructure tomorrow and the money that we are spending now will go to waste,” he pointed out.
According to Prof. Ayarkwa, the availability of equipment and infrastructure, particularly cars for engineers in the works department to use for their work, is essential for any Assembly that is worthwhile.
He questioned, “How could you walk into the hinterlands where schools are provided?”
In order to ensure engineers are productive, he implored the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to urge the assemblies to do the needful.
He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development should be able to whisper into the ears of the Assembly so that they regard it as very vital and provide tools for effective work delivery.
The subject of lack of resources was of concern to the engineers from across the nation who attended the ceremony.
“The call is quite appropriate. The call will be adhered to,” said Engr. Davor Wonder from Denkyembou Municipal Assembly.
They acknowledged that the works departments need adequate funding.
“Previously, the assemblies engage consultants to do most of its work but with the amalgamation of the works departments – We have capable officers who actually do supervision of work,” he said.
According to Engr. Wonder, consultants were occasionally paid enormous sums of money—at least 6% of the project cost. However, with the creation of the works department, these funds are being saved.
“It indicates how much money the Assembly is saving. Therefore, it will be beneficial if we give the Engineers the tools they need to complete their job.”
Among other tools that engineers claim are extremely useful to their work are the Schmidt Hammer Test and Concrete Slump Test.
“It is employed in concrete strength testing. Such tools don’t exist in the assembly where I work,” said Rev. Engr. Kantamanto Kyei from Mamponteng Municipal Assembly.
The tools facilitate effective work, make it simpler, and get rid of substandard work.
The foundation of all development, according to Engr. Alexander Kello from Ahafo Ano South West District Aseembly, is the works department.
“The projects will perform at their best with routine monitoring and inspection.”
To create our finest work, Engr. Kello exhorted the assemblies to resource them well.
