25 Apr 2013

PPC Botswana will begin the Number 1 Builder competition  on May 1.

The competition, which is  running for the fourth time, will close on July 31.

The company will also continue its informative workshops countrywide at major construction sites in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun.

Speaking at the competition launch recently,  general manager Mr Werner De Beer said that PPC’s partners; Tshipidi Badiri, AAB, ABCON and China Civil as representatives of major players in the construction industry, will educate and empower their their members by conducting workshops.

Mr De Beer noted that partners will capacitate participants on safety standards and trends as well as bringing concrete technology experts, architects and many others to share their expertise as part of the education drive for the competition.

This wil taget builders, big and small in two categories, civil and commercial as well as the building construction. It is also aimed at displaying excellence in Botswana’s building industry.

The manager said by rewarding outstanding projects in the two categories and various projects, PPC was encouraging best practice and standards. He also noted that the panel of judges were drawn from diverse backgrounds in the construction industry such as architecture, civil engineering, quantity surveying and concrete technology.

“They do not only boast a lot of expertise in industry, but they bring unique thinking when reviewing various projects for the competition, and this is a critical aspect of the competition.”

The judging criterion, he said included safety practices on site, being on time and within budget, application, finishing and the overall aesthetic appeal of the finished project.

Mr De Beer further said while excellent workmanship was an important component in the competition, the company was also committed to safety in the industry, adding employees were the most important part of business hence their safety was paramount.

The competition comes just less than a year after Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Johnnie Swartz had branded PPC more than a cement company because of this.