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Highway project under construction.
Cedric Richards, Contributor
THE BUILDING industry has failed to have the impact it should on the Jamaican society despite contributing more than 10 per cent to domestic earnings.
The Joint Consultative Committee, which speaks for all four disciplines in the sector - masterbuilders, quantity surveyors, engineers and architects - must endeavour to do the necessary promotions, starting among the construction industry.
Just before the October 16 general election, 22 industries got together to agree on what a new government should be doing for Jamaica. The building industry was not a participant, notwithstanding its centrality in developing public infrastructure.
There is much to be said about the operation of our engineers, criticisms that will likely seem like sprinkling salt in their wounds.
Road construction in Jamaica today has consumed in excess of $24 billion of borrowed funds in the last five years, funds to be repaid by taxpayers.
But, the quality and standards of these road projects are either in some instances without engineering input or have serious engineering breaches. Failures of many kinds have been observed on such projects as: the Melrose bypass and Old Harbour bypass in St. Catherine, and the Washington Boulevard and Trafalgar Road in Kingston.
All have developed faults within months after completion of construction. In addition, the Parish Council roads inevitably last until only until the first shower of rain.
There is also a new method being used in road repairs called milling where a machine is used to remove the asphaltic concrete surfacing. This method was recently used on the section of highway linking the May Pen bypass to the new Old Harbour bypass, leaving the marl base to the inclement weather which completely destroyed it.
Instead of correcting the problem, a temporary reinstatement was applied not three weeks ago, and breaking down has already started.
Each discipline represented within the JCC has got to uphold the best practices in the quest for excellence within the sector.
Professional engineers must be cognisant of these failures, yet there are no criticisms emanating from the Jamaican Institution of Engineers. The silence is deafening. To ignore these issues is a disservice to the engineering profession and the country.
It also gives the engineers own mission statement and code of ethics.
The following quote from the Prime Minister's message in the JIE's recent newspaper supplement where he said: "Jamaica has received work of the highest quality from our local engineers resulting in significant benefits to the society" - is amiss.
Members of the JIE must be reminded that their mission statement under the heading 'Distinctive Competence' says, among other things that the Institution "sets standards of engineering design and monitors their implementation (and) regulate the practice of engineering in collaboration with national development and regulatory bodies.
Under 'Priorities' it says: "The recognition of engineering excellence and the enhancement of the engineers' image in society-the provision of information and interface which will advance national engineering product delivery."
The failures on the engineering projects named goes against the intent of the JIE's mission statement. Whether through their Institution or the JCC, JIE members must speak out against these construction atrocities, so that the taxpayers dollars may be efficiently spent and accounted for.
The comments should not be viewed as condemnation of engineers but must be considered constructive criticisms to be pondered and used to bring recognition to the Building and Construction Industry in Jamaica.
The idea is to spur debate among the industry and to propel its members into constructive dialogue that will bring the sector closer to the excellence for which it aims.
Cedric Richards is president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica and the representative of building contractors on the Joint Consultative Committee for Building and Construction.
