Impending crisis after Sh1.3b cut from NCA
Kenyans are staring at a crisis in the building sector after the National Treasury slashed the entire Sh 1.3 billion budget for National Construction Authority (NCA) that to supervises the construction of various buildings in the country.
NCA raised said it would be impossible for it to carry out its mandate as well as pay personal emoluments for employees if the money is not availed in the 2024/2025 budget.
While appearing before the Housing, Urban Planning and Urban Development committee , Lands, Public Works Housing and urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and NCA Executive Director Maurice Akech said the department would no longer be able to promote safe construction structures due to lack of resources.
Wahome in particular said that although they have instituted talks with the National Treasury, the authority would suffer greatly should the monies not be factored in the budget.
She said: “Although I have told NCA that they are no longer small babies as they are growing and that they need to also push for more allocation, it is sad that they have lost an entire budget in this financial year.
Akech told MPs that the authority’s operations will also be affected as it had also planned to use the money to pay non-discretionary expenses such as employee’s costs, rent, utilities, contracted services and insurance but this will not be possible as they have no funds.
He said that the rationalization of the budget will also delay the review of the NCA act and Regulations.
Part of the budget, he said had was expected to cover various expenses including inspection of 200 projects under the Affordable Housing programme from design to completion at a cost of Sh300 million, ensuring that all the projects are registered and comply with the required standards including approvals from the relevant authorities Sh10 million, targeted accreditation of 500000 construction workers over a period of five years at Sh100 million and standardisation and improvement of construction techniques and materials for affordable housing at a cost of Sh 50 million.
