Mumba bemoans lack of code of ethics in construction industry

Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, has bemoaned and attributed Malawi’s poor-quality infrastructure to the construction industry’s lack of a code of ethics, emphasizing the need for professionals in the sector to adopt set of principles that promote accountability, transparency and quality work.

Mumba, who is also a professional in the industry, said this on Friday at Comesa Hall in Blantyre when he held a public lecture under the theme: Code of ethics in Malawi’s construction industry.

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Mumba said, unlike other professionals such as lawyers, medical doctors and accountants that face disciplinary action for unethical conduct, the construction professionals do not get punishment for their poor workmanship and other professional malpractices in the industry.

“Sometimes in the daily papers we see lawyers, even medical doctors being punished but you will never see an engineer, architects or surveyor being punished. We shield each other and this is the reason we have poor infrastructures in the country,” he said.

The Minister added that good work ethics is the best way of combating corruption, adding that the Malawi’s construction sector has been named the most corrupt.

“I know politicians give us pressure. We need to tell the politicians the truth, give them options, let them decide,” he added.

Speaking earlier, Executive Dean for the School of Engineering at Malawi University of Business and Applied Science (MUBAS), Associate Professor, Burnet Mkandawire, acknowledged the importance of having code of ethics in the construction sector, saying code of ethics is in the university’s engineering curriculum.

“We encourage student to abide by code of conducts. Code of ethics is very important to an engineer whether a student or a professional practicing engineer, and this public lecture couldn’t come at a better time than this,” he added.

Former Mayor for Blantyre City, Noel Chalamanda agreed that code of ethics is essential, and stressed the need for continued trainings for professionals to effectively serve the public better.

“More importantly, there has to be a platform known to the public where concerned members of the public can lodge their complains,” Chalamanda added.

Various industry professionals, policy makers, religious leaders, students, members of the public attended the public lecture at Comesa Hall where promotion of ethical leadership and professional conduct within Malawi’s construction industry was emphasized for action.