The Deputy Permanent in the Ministry of Works, John Nduguru yesterday cautioned architects and construction professionals to shun malpractices and deliver to the expectations of the government and the general public.

He was officiating at the opening an exhibition on architectural products and annual general meeting of the Architects Association of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, sponsored by Dar es Salaam Glass Company.

Describing the construction sector as among key development pillars, he urged the respective practitioners to demonstrate professionalism and deliver quality and standard works in their operations.

“As professionals, you have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose if you stop malpractices…which leads to poor quality projects,” said Nduguru.

Poor-quality jobs, he added, could in turn lead to heavy financial losses on the part of the governments of East Africa and the general public, including “loss of credibility on your part, as professionals.”

The government and other development stakeholders were aware that “there are many actors in the construction industry who are pretending to be competent while in fact they are not.”

Construction experts and professionals have to be vigilant in tracking down sources of problems in the industry and report them to the relevant government organs.

On procurement-related concerns raised by AAT and other stakeholders, the deputy permanent secretary said PPRA was presently in the process of reviewing its bylaws where AAT and other stakeholders’ concerns, comments and suggestions have been incorporated.

“However, I urge participants of this seminar to use this opportunity to find solutions in addressing challenges facing the construction sector. While some of the issues will need to be addressed by the governments of East Africa, I believe some solutions are within your powers as stakeholders of the construction industry,” he stated.

For his part, AAT President Arch. Mbaraka Igangula, declared that public awareness in the country on architectural matters and the profession in general was still low. In order to address this situation, the association had embarked on embarked on vigorous media campaigns in association with the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board (AQRB) to market our profession.

“The association had many problems, including lack of funds, lack of personnel, permanent physical address and lack of commitment on the part of members. Most problems have already been resolved,” h said, specifying that the association is still waiting for “final decisions.”

AAT and its members participated in reaching the East African Common Market protocol, helping to negotiate rounds I and II in Kampala and Kigali meetings. Moreover, the Association participated in a stakeholders’ meeting for the EAC common Market protocol held at the Ministry of East Africa Community Affairs where various matters regarding the EAC common market protocol were discussed and agreed upon, he affirmed. “We are still in the process of involving all architect/stakeholders for final conclusion on the same,” he added.