Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-22 21:13:56
The Geological Society of Kenya (GSK) and the Geologists Registration Board (GRB) are working together on a proposed amendment to the Geologist Registration Act of 1993. This amendment, if passed, will introduce a mandatory geological assessment before the construction of large projects.
At the Geo-East Africa Conference, the expert geologists explained that the proposed assessment would involve sampling soils, surface fractures, and evaluating earthquake risk at proposed construction sites before approvals are granted. Additionally, the assessments would advise contractors on design factors such as the earthquake reinforcements required for stability in high-risk areas.
The amendment is being proposed in response to the high number of building collapses in Kenya. Data from the National Construction Authority (NCA) revealed that between 2009 and 2019, 200 lives were lost due to building collapses. The geologists believe that implementing mandatory assessments could significantly reduce these incidents.
Furthermore, the GSK and GRB are seeking to separate geological and engineering services by requiring an independent geological report before engineering work begins. This aims to ensure that geological assessments are conducted separately from engineering services, promoting a more comprehensive and independent evaluation process.
The proposed amendment also aims to make the registration of geologists mandatory, in an effort to enhance professionalism within the industry. The geologists argue that this measure will contribute to better oversight and regulation of geological assessments and engineering projects.
The need for this amendment is underscored by recent building collapse incidents in Kenya, such as the collapse of a ten-storey building in the Mirema area of Roysambu Constituency and another building collapse in Kirinyaga. The NCA identified poor structural concrete as the cause of the collapse in the Mirema incident. These tragic events have highlighted the necessity of stricter regulations and assessments in the construction industry.
If passed, the proposed amendment would have significant implications for large construction projects in Kenya. Implementing mandatory geological assessments could potentially save lives and prevent future building collapses by ensuring that construction is carried out with adequate consideration of geological factors.
The collaboration between the GSK and GRB reflects a commitment to enhancing the standards and regulations governing geological assessments in Kenya. By promoting professionalism and independence in the assessment process, the amendment could mark a crucial step towards improving safety and quality in the construction industry.
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