Experts: Do proper audits

 By MIRIAM MALAWA

THE Institute of Engineers has proposed to the Government to consider proper auditing of projects to avoid poor outcomes.

It wants to see that government-funded projects such as roads, bridges and building were of good quality.  

The institute’s chief executive officer Benedict Mick said they were concerned about the many government projects not being constructed to acceptable standards and which failed to conform to approved plans resulting in poor outcomes. 

He cited as an example the collapse of the upgraded section of the Sir Hubert Murray Highway leading to Erima which lacked technical assessments. 

He said something must be done to prevent similar happenings in future. 

He said the government had started implementation on key areas including accessibility and improvement of road network which had not succeeded. 

He said the institute, as a professional body, would align its corporate plan to work with the Government and ensure that they achieved quality outcome.

“We believe that government projects must have technical audit for statutory compliance,” Mick said.

“As a professional engineering firm that has knowledge and capacity we would like to ask that the government engage us to assist them.”

He said a lot of contracts were given to unqualified contractors which was one source of poor results. 

He also asked the government to establish a project screening unit within the central supply and tenders board to scrutinise and report on all contracts awarded.

National Capital District deputy City Manager Leslie Alu supported the institute’s statement. 

He said the only road construction projects which went through proper project management and assessment were the Poreporena Highway and Waigani Drive. 

“We do lack project management which should be managed by external consultants,” Alu said. 

 “This is where people like IEPNG comes in.”