the instruments of power to newly elected EIZ president George Sitali
(right) during the EIZ gala dinner at AVANI Victoria Falls Hotel in
Livingstone
Outgoing-Engineering Council of Zambia (EIZ) president Bernard Chiwala has urged President Edgar Lungu to consider establishing a President’s Council of Advisors on Science, Technology and Industrialization (PRECASTI).
Mr. Chiwala said the establishment of PRECASTI would over-see the promotion of local innovation in the country thereby industrialising the nation.
Mr. Chiwala said PRECASTI would be a rightful body to advise President Lungu on industrialising Zambia as opposed to the Head of State receiving proposals from individuals and organisations.
Mr. Chiwala said PRECASTI could be used as a right channel to recommend most effective proposals to government.
The out-going EIZ boss said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Works and Supply Minister Yamfwa Mukanga who over the weekend installed the new EIZ executive led by George Sitali challenged the institute to position itself as government national advisor on technology and national development.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chiwala has disclosed that the construction for the new building for the Engineering Council of Zambia has reached 50 percent.
He said the building is expected to be completed in April next year.
Mr. Chiwala, an Engineer himself, dismissed claims by some sections of society that Zambian engineers have less ability in undertaking developmental projects.
He cited the Mongu/Kalabo road where a named Zambian contractor was engaged as one of the major capital project that was executed in collaboration with a Chinese contractor.
He has since urged the Zambian people to support local engineers as they have the capacity and ability to execute huge projects when called upon in any part of the country instead of giving first preference to foreigners.
“Mr. Chiwala said the establishment of PRECASTI would over-see the promotion of local innovation in the country thereby industrialising the nation”. Crap! What is the problem with EIZ? This is the rhetoric people are criticizing about EIZ. You don`t need that institution—what ever you’re calling it. Doesn’t the EIZ Act say, “EIZ shall play advisory role on STEM issues? Why do you want another bureaucratic institution, jobs I guess? The problem with EIZ is within itself. Incompetency! Please people sensible pronouncements (number of inventions, patents and innovative products from your members at the end of this year) from EIZ and not the same boring rhetoric.
Why host an EIZ AGM in Livingston when majority of your members are either in Lusaka or Copperbelt. Just for the fun of it and for enjoyment.
What a waste of resources. The focus of this association is so misplaced. No wonder they have no impact on Zambia
What is the role of the EIZ? trash!
“…Mr. Chiwala has disclosed that the construction for the new building for the Engineering Council of Zambia has reached 50 percent”.
“Mr. Chiwala, an Engineer himself, dismissed claims by some sections of society that Zambian engineers have less ability in undertaking developmental projects.”
IN FACT YOU DON’T SIMPLY HAVE THE ABILITY. THE ONLY ABILITY YOU HAVE IS TO SHOT OTHER FEW ENGINEERS’ PRACTICAL IDEAS DOWN, FOR FEAR OF BEING CHALLENGED. WE HOPE THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL NOT SUGGEST A GOOD/BAD IDEA, AGAIN, ON OUTGOING AS CHIWALA HAS SUGGESTED PRECASTI WHEN HE IS LIVING.
“He cited the Mongu/Kalabo road where a named Zambian contractor was engaged as one of the major capital project that was executed in collaboration with a Chinese contractor.”
OH! OK! NO WONDER THE DESIGN WAS VILLAGE-LIKE. THAT ROAD, ESPECIALLY THAT IT IS A VERY SHORT ROAD WOULD HAVE HAD ELEMENTS/FACILITIES OF TOURISM. FOR INSTANCE THE ROAD AND BRIDGES WOULD HAVE HAD WALK AND CYCLE WAYS, LAY-BIES ON BOTH SIDES TO ALLOW FOR CYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS (LOCALS AND TOURISTS AND JUST ENTHUSIASTS) TO WALK AND CYCLE THE FULL LENGTH OF THE ROAD OR IN PARTS TO ADMIRE AND APPRECIATE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE WHOLE WETLAND. THAT’S HOW PROPER ENGINEERS THINK- WITH VALUE ADDITION.
NOW, A CHINA MAN MADE A ZAMBIAN ENGINEER BELIEVE CONSTRUCTING THAT ROAD WAS THE HARDEST ENCOUNTER OF THEIR CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION LIFE. GO TO CHINA ITSELF AND COMPARE WHAT IS EASY- CONSTRUCTING A MERE ROAD ON A FLAT GROUND OR A CABLE CAR CONNECTING THE CITY OVER PART OF A SEA THROUGH STEEP MOUNTAINS TO the Giant Buddha STATUE (Hong Kong Lantau Island-China). THEY DID THAT WHOLE IN THE NAME OF TOURISM. NOW, OUR ENGINEERS ARE SO CHALLENGED ALL THEY CAN ACHIEVE IS ONLY A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH FEW UNCHALLENGED BRIDGES. JUST GOOGLE THE GIANT BUDDHA ON LANTAU ISLAND-HONG KONG-CHINA AND SEE WHAT ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS ARE ALL ABOUT. YOU CAN EVEN WATCH IT’S CHALLENGING ISSUES DURING DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION ON YOUTUBE.
@5 I MEANT TO WRITE, ‘SEA/RIVER, INSTEAD OF JUST ‘SEA’ IN THE SENTENCE:
…MERE ROAD ON A FLAT GROUND OR A CABLE CAR CONNECTING THE CITY OVER PART OF A SEA…