Al Khayyat explained that number one on the agenda is the Quality Assurance Program, which was launched back in June 2011 by H.E. the Minister of Works, Eng. Essam Bin Abdulla Khalaf. This MED flagship project is aimed at ensuring that the best practices and standards are adopted at projects for the Ministry of Works. The idea is to maximize the design life for all Government Construction Projects whilst still maintaining good value for money for the public sector.
Using a squad of trained Quality Auditors and Engineering specialists, backed up by a team of experts, MED has been assessing and monitoring compliance with Ministry and Project specifications, Project Quality Plans, Material selection and use and Inspection and Testing Plans.
MED is currently overseeing 25 projects worth more than BD350 million and covering road, sanitary and building construction; hand in hand with the respective Directorates.
‘Since the mandate was given, over 160 official corrective/preventive actions have been issued to contractors, suppliers and testing authorities. Judging by the reactions at the projects so far, the response has been very positive and encouraging. All relevant parties including MoW site personnel, site staff of the Contractors and Consultants, are showing commitment to implement the Quality Assurance program together,’ said Al Khayyat.
The program is seen by everyone as an opportunity to improve the quality of construction through the analysis and categorization of non-conformances. In this way Quality Assurance will be a value added tool for monitoring and improving the construction works and processes.
Measures are currently being taken to further enhance the coordination and cooperation between MED and the project teams to ensure accurate execution and good progress of projects whilst striving for continual improvement of the program.
MED is targeting to engage more than 50 projects by December 2013 covering the phases of Implementation to Close-out.
‘Through its other initiatives which range from the already in place material approval process with the e-service to follow, a review takes place on the current MOW specifications and a road-show to pull together all the resources available under the various directorates in the Ministry, to develop synergies and better efficiency through coordinated activities towards common goals. Quality Assurance will be embedded throughout the project life cycle for all projects, from the planning to the closing out stage”, said MED Director Sameer Affouni.