Golden Hill Suppliers Manager Suwilanji Kantu has […]

Golden Hill Suppliers Manager Suwilanji Kantu has bemoaned the low uptake of surveying services among property owners, particularly in the residential subsector, saying a lack of knowledge about the importance of surveying remains part of the challenge.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Kantu said many property owners were unaware of important surveying documents and processes, including survey diagrams and site plans.

He said while some property owners were willing to learn about the importance of surveying, others believed they already had sufficient knowledge.

“As we interact with different people, we try by all means to educate them. Others are willing to learn, while others seem to know everything. But we cannot teach everybody. So, we try and help in whatever way we can. I think that is the challenge I have seen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kantu has called on local authorities to adopt uniform standards across their planning departments, saying differences in requirements between councils often create challenges for surveyors.

 He said his experience working in different parts of the country had shown that requirements could vary from one council to another.

“Every council seems to have different standards. There is no general standard, especially when it comes to their planning departments.

 I have worked in Livingstone and we have also worked in Lusaka and other provinces, and we find that planners in Livingstone will tell you something is okay, but when it comes to Lusaka, they may have a different position,” Kantu said.

 He said having uniform standards would make it easier for surveyors to operate across different districts and provinces.

“We cannot really work around it. We can just work with them and understand that if this is what you want, then we will do it. But working in different towns, we should have at least one standard,” he said.

Kantu added that where national standards already exist, local authorities should stick to them instead of introducing different requirements.

“The way standards are for a survey diagram, we have to follow that. At least, if we can have the same standards, even better. And if not, if the standards are there, then at least the local councils should adhere to those standards,” he said.

 He said inconsistent requirements could also make it difficult for private-sector professionals to engage government institutions.

Article by Samuel Mutale