BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE modular housing concept is set to pave the way for a more cost-effective and efficient construction industry, said speakers at a seminar on “Modular Design and Construction for Housing Projects in Negara Brunei Darussalam” organised by the Ministry of Development.

Lokman Hamzah, acting chief operating officer of IBS Iconisis Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of UEM Builders Berhad) who presented a paper entitled “Industrialised Building System – UEM’s IBS Initiatives” highlighted the importance of developing new housing concepts that can cut construction costs and in the process, develop highly-skilled workforce. “It’s not an overnight situation … (and) we need time and endurance to do it,” Lokman said, regarding the implementation of the new schemes into the local construction industry, adding that Brunei can learn from the mistakes made by other countries already using these methods.

On their involvement in Bruneian projects, he said, “We’ve got a separate team (UEM Construction Brunei) involved with the government on the Mengkubau Housing project, headed by our Project Director, Azlee.” He added that UEM had provided the expertise for the inital start up of the project, but later on developed a local branch to maintain the operation, in collaboration with a local consultant.

He was eager to collaborate with Brunei on future projects, saying, “I believe on top of the housing needs in Brunei, you have to strike a balance, between housing and infrastructure – roads, bridges, things like that. What we can offer is (our specialisation) with modern housing and infrastructure.”

He also added that UEM Construction Brunei hopes to become the national builder for Brunei in the future. Lokman also acknowledged that the seminar was a preliminary meeting to “kickstart and share the new technological knowledge with the (construction) industry, internally and externally”, as well as highlight the benefits that prefabrication and modular construction could offer.

The company was also supportive of local involvement, saying that with the prefabrication method of housing, multiple suppliers would be required for the full system of operations, he said, adding, “each component is being developed by different people (so) … in that sense you create business and economic growth all around”.

UEM’s commitment to involving local participation would also help to create a labour force that is highly specialised, thereby increasing the employee’s value to the national economy. This method will allow for a reduction in labour force but ensures highly-skilled workers can be retained.

In his presentation titled “Economics in Housing Projects”, Mohd Syafie Hj Mohd Yusof, principal of JBU-DLS focused on procurement and design economics as important factors for immediate consideration when looking to cut costs. Yusof’s presentation elaborated on the need for efficient designs that cut down on material waste, as well as the need for cost studies in choosing materials.

Marzuke Haji Mohsin, Director of the Housing Development Department, also reiterated the positive economic benefits of implementing new construction technologies.

“Our local (employees) involved in the current projects with UEM Construction, will benefit from the transfer of knowledge and technology,” he noted, adding that the cost benefits were many when looking at the total number of houses being built. While the initial start-up costs by new companies using modular housing methods and prefabricated materials would be high, it is still competitive compared to the current conventional methods of construction, he said.

The Brunei Times

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