SOME PLAYERS in the construction industry are pushing for the establishment of a council to monitor operations of member companies and bodies as a means of protecting the public from receiving sub-standard products and promoting sustainable environment, health and safety practices.

The establishment of the Zimbabwe Construction Industry Council (ZCIC) is in accordance with a bill proposed last year by the Ministry of Public Works to establish a regulatory council.

The council will have the mandate to register and regulate operations of local and foreign construction companies in Zimbabwe.

Companies involved in any construction work will register with the council which will monitor and evaluate all their projects according to set standards.

The council will also set legal contractual procedures and a code of practice which upon breach gives it power to exercise disciplinary action against associate members practising in Zimbabwe.

Public Works deputy minister Aguy Georgias said the bill was an essential legal framework to monitor the operations and improve on standards in the industry.

He said the council, which will also function as a representative body, will be involved in research and shall publish technical and commercial information to assist in the recovery and growth of the industry.

"The council will consider any matter affecting the construction industry and make representations to the minister," reads part of the proposed bill.

The legal department in the Ministry of Public Works has completed examining the draft bill after incorporating the agreed additions and alterations highlighted by stakeholders.

Construction Industry Confederation of Zimbabwe (CIFOZ) president Philip Chiyangwa confirmed the body's input, saying the setting up of a council as proposed by the bill would ensure collective adherence to set industry standards.

Chiyangwa said the bill would also encourage competition in the industry, a move which he said was a positive contribution towards the growth of the industry.

The construction industry, which over the past decade has faced a number of challenges, including lack of credit lines, unavailability of key materials as well as subdued demand, has continued to register notable improvements as evidenced by an increase in the number of roads, mining and housing projects which took off in 2011.

According to information provided by Cifoz, capacity utilisation in 2011 increased to 33% from 22% recorded in 2010.

Chiyangwa hailed the resurgence of the sector, saying he was optimistic the industry would see a 10% increase in capacity utilisation this year.

The industry is still struggling to attract skilled labour, mainly engineers who left the country for greener pastures over the past decade.

The local construction industry, which used to employ more than 30 000 people in 1996, has witnessed a fare share of challenges owing to lack of funding and fewer projects from both the private sector as well as the public sector. However, with the improvement in capacity utilisation, the sector is expected to employ more people.

The industry has a potential of accounting for at least 20% of Gross Domestic Product.