The Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction presented for discussion with stakeholders the draft proclamation governing the construction industry, The Ethiopian Herald reported.

The proclamation is said to create accountable and transparent ways of operation in the construction industry, according to the paper.

Briefing participants, State Minister Haile-Meskel Tefera said, the draft proclamation will enable to ensure competency and foster quality in the construction industry.

“It could enable us register and evaluate performance contractors, experts and consultants in the sector,” he said.

Haile-Meskel said the new proclamation is mainly vital for the development of professionalism in the industry. The services in the sector need to be rendered with ultimate quality based on ethical standards, he said.

As the proclamation helps to fill gaps in quality, timeliness and other current challenges, it would create better benefits for the users, he noted.

A new institution is expected to be established to enforce the proclamation.

The draft proclamation allows those engaged in the sector to submit complaints related to registration and other issues to a committee that would be formed.

It also stipulates that anyone found operating in the sector without letter of competence would be fined from 150,000 up to 300,000 birr and from seven to 15 years of imprisonment. Those who intentionally make contracts with any one who does not have letter of competence will also face punishment, according to the draft proclamation.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald