Two Marandimo Construction company employees Harry Walima and Marco Njoloma were from 20 to 24 August trained in the construction of small bridges at the Malawi Institute of Tourism in Blantyre.
A Certificate that was awarded to Harry Walima
According to Harry Walima, one of Marandimo’s representatives, the course defined the different types of bridges such as Bailey, Irish and the Normal Single to Multi-span bridges.
“The course mainly discussed the Single Span Bridges whose making is the same as the multi-span ones,” Harry says they were told how the construction of this type of bridge from finding the site of the bridge, setting out, through to excavations of the foundation trenches, foundation footings, foundations, abutments and wing walls, abutment and pier cups, rubber bearings, Main and Trimmer beams, different types of steel reinforcement used in the cups, piers and the deck, and laying either the concrete deck or timber.
The course also tackled site organization. The topic specified how the bid interprets into works and how the works programme is done, including the personnel required at each stage of the construction.
Harry says the course has greatly opened them to “competitively put to challenge civil works”. The course has taught them how to handle project sites, consultants and even engineers.
“I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the Marandimo management for sending us to the training using its own resources, resources that were meant to help other managerial aspects of the company.
“I am expressing my gratitude whilst assuring you that the effort you [Management of Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT)] put for us to be part of this training will bear the much needed fruits that will lift further the Marandimo establishment,” says Harry.
A total of 23 civil engineering contractors from districts in the Southern Region of Malawi attended the training. National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has extended its invitation for Marandimo to undergo AUTOCAD trainings.
Marandimo Construction Company is under the pillar, Social Development of ACYT.
By Patrick Bwanali
This is great especially when one thoughtfully considers that formal employment is not so readily available…our beloved country can yield unimaginable proceeds from such deliberate efforts aimed at empowering the youths with construction skills. However, a word of caution; construction is a delicate profession. Slight negligence or knowlege gaps can be costly. The council should keep monitoring these experts to check down substandard products and adherence to ethics