The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) plans to review some engineering standards being part of its procedures to undergo review of some outdated standards after every five years.
The TBS Quality Assurances Officer, Eng. Stephen Minja, said at the weekend that reviewing the standards are important to maintain regular checks of the quality standards required for the construction sector.
Eng. Minja was speaking at the just ended Annual Consultative Meeting and Exhibition hosted by the Engineering Registration Board (ERB), where TBS officials provided information to contractors on the need for them to observe quality when undertaking construction works.
“We have received views from the construction stakeholders with some complaining on the quality of the equipment they use. We will keep on updating standards of the equipment although of late many meet required quality specifications,” he said.
As the construction industry grows at an alarming state, TBS cautions the growth should also be noted in the quantity of quality tools applied by the construction industry countrywide. However, he said TBS has noted with concern a growing number of suppliers supplying materials whose quality is questionable mentioning iron bars and iron sheets as part of them.
He maintained that TBS will increase its regular surveillance campaigns in the market where suspected offender will be investigated and dealt with accordingly.
Already, he said about 500 tones of substandard iron bars have been apprehended and will be recycled to acquire recommended quality. “We are now intensifying inspection operation particularly on building materials where already some manufacturers are already booked. We call for developers and contractors to keep on informing us whenever they suspect inferior supplies,” he said.
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, Tanzania Daily News
