Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has reaffirmed its desire for Zambia to maximize the opportunity for sustainable development through green building.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister, Yamfwa Mukanga says government has come to the realization that instilling green building in the country’s construction Industry is no longer an option.
Yamfwa Mukanga
Mr. Mukanga states that this means the Zambian people need to reconsider how they approach the construction industry now that it is clear the business as usual approach is no longer an alternative.
He notes that for the fact that green building goes beyond environmental concerns, it is incumbent upon Zambian designers, architects and engineers to integrate sustainable practices in executing their duties as they design buildings, approve development plans, supervise construction works and produce training materials for contractors.
Mr. Mukanga was speaking this morning in Lusaka when he opened a three days workshop on green building technologies for officers from local authorities and building department organized by the National Council for Construction (NCC).
Speaking earlier, NCC Executive Director Charles Mushota said the council is also looking at ways of influencing laws and regulations to provide incentives on the use of greener building methods, materials and services.
Mr. Mushota says this is in addition to the need to begin moving away from conventional practices, which rely heavily on imported goods and services, towards localizing value and supply chains.