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The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) has described government’s response to growing public concern over the quality of infrastructure developed under Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a positive step toward strengthening oversight and restoring confidence in the sector.
The institution expressed strong support for the position taken by the Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who recently emphasized that the challenge lies not with the PPP model itself, but with gaps in supervision, enforcement, and accountability.
In a statement issued on Monday, the institution said it was encouraged that authorities had taken into account concerns raised by engineering stakeholders and were now moving to strengthen PPP implementation guidelines.
“As an engineering regulator, we are delighted to note that Government has heeded to our voice and is now making amends on PPP implementation guidelines going forward,” EIZ Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, David Kamungu, stated on behalf of the 62nd Engineering Council.
Kamungu said the proposed reforms were a step in the right direction and will help restore confidence in infrastructure projects.
He particularly welcomed measures aimed at strengthening oversight, including making independent technical supervision mandatory on major PPP projects, ensuring no construction begins without proper oversight, and establishing clear accountability from design through to maintenance.
“These measures are critical in eliminating uncertainty and ensuring that infrastructure meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and durability,” he said.
EIZ further expressed hope that the strengthened framework would incorporate independent engineering consultants as key players in certifying works in line with approved designs, ultimately benefiting both public and private entities.
Kamungu also welcomed government’s recognition of the availability of qualified and experienced local engineers capable of designing and supervising public infrastructure to world-class standards.
To support the reforms, EIZ pledged to provide advisory input on infrastructure projects, participate in procurement processes to strengthen project design and planning, and enforce engineering standards through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
“As a regulator, EIZ is committed to maintaining high standards in engineering projects to ensure that all professionals working on such critical projects are adequately qualified,” he said.
He added that EIZ would soon launch a comprehensive inspection of PPP projects in collaboration with other stakeholders, aimed at ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and professional registration requirements.
The move is expected to enhance transparency, improve project delivery, and ensure that infrastructure investments deliver long-term value for the country.
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