The National Construction Industry Council of Malawi (NCIC), hosted officers and students from the Malawi Defense Force Command and Staff College (MDFCSC) in an interactive session at NCIC headquarters, in Lilongwe on Friday the 25th of October 2024. The session which was organized by the NCIC’s Training and Research Department provided a platform for collaborative learning, emphasizing the shared values and goals of both institutions within Malawi’s construction and defense sectors.
NCIC’s Chief Executive Officer Eng. Gerald Khonje welcomed the MDF, acknowledging the attendance of military officers and students not only from Malawi but also from Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zambia. Eng. Khonje expressed gratitude for MDFCSC’s interest in learning about NCIC’s regulatory and developmental roles, describing the visit as a reinforcement of NCIC’s commitment to strategic partnership. He highlighted that working together strengthens both the construction industry and national development, noting a similar partnership with the Malawi Police Service.
Colonel Enock Mtonya, the MDF’s Command and Staff College Commandant appreciated NCIC for welcoming them and revealed that they chose NCIC because they provide the same services as the MDF in terms of the construction and engineering sector in the country and that they believed the interaction would be very beneficial. He further noted that such collaboration would enable both institutions to enhance teamwork, resilience, and readiness in their respective fields.
During the session, NCIC Training Officer, Mr. Wiseman Chibwezo made a comprehensive presentation on the roles of NCIC. Mr. Chibwezo detailed how the military and NCIC can collaborate on areas like emergency construction and disaster response. Key suggestions included NCIC providing specialized construction training for military personnel and the MDF offering emergency response training to construction workers. Additionally, he proposed potential joint research and development projects that could benefit the country. Mrs. Neema Kadaluka, NCIC Director of Training and Research, addressed questions from the guests, reinforcing the Council’s dedication to transparency and knowledge sharing.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by a representative from the MDF, who emphasized that NCIC’s role aligns closely with the military’s objectives and extended an invitation for future interactions.
As a gesture of goodwill, Colonel Mtonya presented a gift to Eng. Khonje on behalf of the MDF. In response, Eng. Khonje extended an invitation to the MDF officers for an upcoming complimentary training session, underscoring NCIC’s commitment to this mutually beneficial partnership.