M.I.D WORKING TO IMPROVE MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY
Roads in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo credit: SIBC.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) is working on improving the effectiveness of its Material Testing Laboratory since its establishment early this year.
MID says, the laboratory plays an important role in testing the quality of material used in construction for MID and private contractors.
Director of Transport Sector Development Project, Harry Rini says an independent consultant has been engaged to assess the needs of the lab to raise the quality of construction operations to international standard.
Mr Rini says in conjunction with the Naro Hill-Lambi Rehabilitation Project on West Guadalcanal in 2015, the laboratory will operate as a fully equipped and staffed laboratory, capable of completing certified material testing for all transport infrastructure projects.
The Ministry is in the process to recruit a full time Lab Technician and senior engineers to head the lab.
Mr Rini says a policy paper needs to be drafted so that all construction firms operating in the country can utilize its service – a potential income source for the ministry.