WEEK 1 REPORT

ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT

Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....1…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

 Orientation on the Organization.

 Attachment to the planning department.
 Reporting to the planning department offices.
 Meeting the Director of Planning Department

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 2 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....2…..
SUMMARY OF TASKS

A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN
1. Met Eng. Sisya (Chief Design Engineer) and my Supervisor Eng. Mbisa.
2. Given the Liwonde-Matawale to design for loads, moment and reinforcement.
Engagement with the supervisor on the design calculations for the Liwonde-Matawale Bridge
and was asked to read on how to do bridge calculations.

B. CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Calculated the volume of concrete for liwonde-Matawale bridge rehabilitation project. Attached
is the document of the calculations I made.

C. CHALLENGES
1. I had issues with the design of bridges because I have not yet learnt bridge design.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………

WEEK 3 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....3…..
SUMMARY OF TASKS

A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN
1. Studying on bridge loads and tried out the calculations using the BS5400 and a book on bridge
design by la Clark and website (https://www.bing.com).
2. I found out on the HA load (which is the UDL and edge knife load) and the HB load (traffic
load mostly found using influence lines) and how they are used/applied. Attached is a page
containing the calculations I tried.

A. CHALLENGES
1. The people were not around this week to obtain more knowledge from them but I am yet to
schedule a meeting with them.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor……………………………………………
WEEK 4 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....4…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

1. No activities.
Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………

WEEK 5 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....5…..
 SUMMARY OF TASKS

A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN
1. I was given a book on Hydrology to read a TP12, this contained formulas for calculating
discharges to be used for design. I wrote short notes on what I read and attached are the short
notes I wrote. Having read the TP12, I am yet to have a discussion with Eng. Mbisa on how
these discharges are used in design.
2. Started reviews with Eng. Sisya and Eng. Mbisa on the Nkhotakota-Benga road.
 Had a document of reference and we were going through the submitted bidding
document from the consultant to check if he has followed the line out and specifications.
 Went through the cover page, section I to section III, we were going through if the
consultant had followed and written all the required headings and sub headings.
 Comments were then written on any observations made.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………

WEEK 6 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....6…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN
1. Continued with reviews, was joined by Eng. Sanogo, Eng. Kawamba and Eng.
Kauma. From the 15th to the 18th of July.
 We continued going through the bidding document by looking if the
consultant has correctly followed the contents, headings and subsections
from the document of reference.
 Looked at Section VII of the bidding document (Work requirements).
 A document called the SATCC which contains specifications and how
everything is to be carried out (i.e. how payment is to be done) on areas
such as earthworks, drainage, pavement, structures, ancillary roadworks
and testing/quality control.
 All works to be carried out are written under the required sections in the
BOQ and checked if the they have been properly written as well as the sub
sections in them are properly written. (e.g. section 6000 for bridges).
 Information in the BOQ and the section of work requirements in the
bidding document is the same.
 These are some of the rules followed:
 If the work specifications are the same as in the SATCC, the
descriptions are copied as they are from the SATCC to Section VII
of the bidding document.
 If there are any iterations or introduction of new information to the
specifications in the SATCC, the abbreviation PS (Particular
Specification) is added on in front of a subsection heading and then
descriptions added in Section VII of the bidding document.
 Comments on observations made are jotted down.
2. We were writing a letter in response to the detailed engineering report containing
comments observed from all the reports i.e. hydrology report, detailed design
report, main bidding document etc.
 For consultancy design services a consultant may submit Preliminary,
detailed engineering design (draft and final) reports. This letter with
comments was specifically responding to the submitted draft detailed
engineering design report.
 The comments were then looked into one at a time, if valid left and if not
taken down.
3. Winded up on the Nkhotakota-Benga reviews.
  Went through the comments made by the environmental group for
corrections to produce the final letter to be signed by the CEO.
 I was with Eng. Mbisa, Mr. Banda and his colleague.

B. CONTRIBUTIONS
1. I was writing down the comments and editing the final letter with Eng. Nyanga.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 7 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....7…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

No activities.
Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………

WEEK 8 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEAD QUARTERS PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT .
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....8…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN: HYDROLOGICAL AND HYRAULIC

ANALYSIS FOR DRAINAGE STRUCTURES
This week, I undertook a self-study on hydraulic and hydrological analysis of bridges specifically the
rational method for discharge calculation.
1. The rational method is used to predict peak flows for small drainage areas
2. Discharge is found using the formula
Q(T)=0.278Ai(T)C
Where: Q(T) is the discharge (peak flood in m3/s)
A is the catchment area (km2)
C is the runoff coefficient
i(T) is the rainfall intensity (mm/hr) with return period of T in yrs.
3. Runoff coefficient (can be selected from a Rational Formula table for C under section 8.33 of
Guidelines for Peak Flood Estimation for Design of Bridges and Culverts and Design of
Spillway of Dams) is dependent on several factors;
 Steeply sloped areas and less frequent, higher intensity storms require the use of higher
coefficients because infiltration and other losses have a proportionally smaller effect on
runoff.
 Areas with land vegetation will use low runoff coefficients while residential areas with
slabs will use higher runoff coefficients.
 Runoff coefficients should be increased by 10% when designing for a 25-year
frequency; by 20% for a 50-year frequency; and by 25% for a 100-year frequency
 If the area consists of several characteristics e.g a forest, open space, residential, streets
etc. runoff coefficient can be found using:
∑𝐴𝑖𝐶𝑖
C= ∑𝐴𝑖
4. Time of concentration (tc) in hours, is the time required for flow to move through a flow
segment, shall be computed for each flow segment. The time of concentration is equal to the
sum of the travel times for all flow segments.
 0.87𝐿3
tc=[ ]0.385
𝐻
Where H is elevation differences in m.
L is length of the river in km.
5. Rainfall intensity (i(T)) (is calculated using table 8.2 in reference with tables 8.1,8.3 and 8.4 of
Guidelines for Peak Flood Estimation for Design of Bridges and Culverts and Design of
Spillway of Dams) the formula below is used:
205 log10(𝑀𝐴𝑃×𝑇)−300
I= mm/hr
6𝑇𝐶 +2
Where I=2 log10 𝑇 + 2.4 mm/hr
MAP is mean annual precipitation
T is the return period
Tc is the gathering time
6. The discharge found and velocity can be used to calculate the area of the section, i.e.
𝑄
Q=AV, therefore: A=
𝑉

B. REFERENCES
1. Chidzanja-Nathenje bridge design report
2. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ncssm
3. The Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual : Chapter 5.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Industrial Supervisor
Name: Eng. C. D. Kauma

Supervisor Signature:
WEEK 9 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: HEADQUARTERS PLANNING DEPARTMENT
.
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....9…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS
A. WORKS UNDERTAKEN: CALCULATING CATCHMENT AREA USING
ARC-GIS AND GOOGLE EARTH
This week I undertook a self-study on calculating catchment area using Arc GIS and Google Earth.
1) Calculating catchment area using Google Earth:
 Google Earth is used for visual inspection and locating the outlet point of a
catchment area.
 On its own Google Earth calculation of the catchment area is done manually.
Firstly, the 3D terrain view in Google Earth is used to identify ridges and valleys
that form the boundaries of the watershed and these boundaries are traced by
visually inspecting the terrain. The “Path” or “Polygon” tool in Google Earth is
then to manually draw the boundary of the catchment area. You can place points
along the ridges to form a polygon that encloses the area of interest. Once the
polygon has been drawn, right-click on it and select “Properties”. Google Earth
will display the area of the polygon in the desired units (e.g., square kilometers,
hectares).
 To be used in connection to ArcGIS firstly, navigation of the area of interest is
done where you want to calculate the catchment area. From which the
understanding of the terrain should be established and features like rivers, valleys
should also be identified. The outlet point is then identified and using the
‘Placemark’ tool is then marked. The coordinates of this point are then saved to
be used in arc GIS.
1) Calculating catchment area using Arc GIS:
 Arc GIS is used for processing DEM data, creating flow direction and
accumulation of rasters, delineating the catchment area, and calculating its area.
 Firstly, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data that covers one’s area of interest is
downloaded from a reliable source and should have a sufficient resolution (30m
or better).
 The DEM data is then loaded in Arc GIS and visualize the terrain to understand
the elevation patterns.
 Using the “Fill” tool, filling in any sinks or depressions in the DEM is done. This
 step ensures accurate water flow modeling by removing small pits that could trap
water artificially.
 Then using the “Flow Direction” tool a flow direction raster is created. This
raster indicates the direction in which water would flow from each cell.
 Using the “Flow Accumulation” tool a flow accumulation raster is generated.
This shows the accumulated flow to each cell, helping to identify channels and
streams.
 Then using the coordinates or KML file from Google Earth the outlet point in
ArcGIS is now located.
 The “Snap Pour Point” tool is then used to ensure that the outlet point aligns with
the highest accumulated flow in the flow accumulation raster. This helps in
accurate catchment delineation. Input the flow accumulation raster, the outlet
point, and set a snapping distance to adjust the point position.
 The “Watershed” tool is then used to delineate the catchment area. This tool uses
the flow direction raster and the outlet point to define the boundaries of the
watershed and the output will be a raster that shows the catchment area.
 To convert the watershed raster into a polygon, feature the “Raster to Polygon”
tool is used to make the catchment area easier to work with and analyze.
 If the polygon output contains multiple small polygons, the “Dissolve” tool is
used to merge them into a single polygon representing the entire catchment area.
 The attribute table of the watershed polygon should then be opened and a new
field added for the area.
 The “Calculate Geometry” tool is used to compute the area of the catchment
polygon. You can select the unit of measurement (e.g., square kilometer, hectares
etc).
 Review of the calculated area and validation is done against known data or field
measurements if available. Using Google Earth and other reference maps, one
visually confirms the catchment boundaries.
 Lastly a map in ArcGIS can be created showing the delineated catchment area,
flow direction, and accumulation patterns.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….

Signature of Industrial Supervisor

WEEK 10 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....10…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this week were:
1. Research on Roads Authority mandate, structure, procurement works and tender and contract
documents.
2. Road classification meeting in Salima.

KEY ACTIVITIES
1. I was assigned to research and produce a 2-page report on:
 Mandate of the Roads Authority.
 Structure of the RA and the functions of each department (RA act 2006).
 Procurement under RA -designated public road networks (roads act 2023) and the
processes and steps involved in procurement.
 Understanding a tender and contract document (its differences and Similarities).

2. I completed my research and report on the Mandate of the Roads Authority:

 I submitted a report detailing the mandate of the Roads Authority, focusing on its
objectives as defined by law.
 Following submission, I had a meeting with Eng. Mkandawire, who provided valuable
feedback on areas of improvement. He helped me refine my approach, adding insights I
had initially overlooked, and advised on how to broaden my analysis

3. Meeting with the Salima District Council on Road Classification:

a. I attended a meeting in Salima District concerning the reclassification of roads. The
reclassification involves shifting from four designations (main, secondary, tertiary, and
undesignated) to a new system with five classifications: main, secondary, district,
community, and undesignated roads. Roads Authority will be responsible for Main and
Secondary Roads while District Councils will be responsible for District and Community
roads.
b. Some roads have been upgraded or downgraded based on status, traffic volume and traffic
class.
c. During the meeting, the council was tasked with helping the Roads Authority check:
  Whether the roads in Salima district are properly classified.
 Whether the roads have been properly named with reference to current place
names. Verification that roads have the correct start and end points and length.
 Whether any roads have been omitted and need to be added.
 The introduction of new roads based on recent or upcoming developments.

4. Reporting on the Structure of the Roads Authority and its Departmental Functions:
 I began researching the structure of the Roads Authority and the specific functions of
each department, as outlined in the Roads Authority Act of 2006. This includes breaking
down departmental roles and how they contribute to the overall mission of the RA.

LESSON LEARNT AND OBSERVATIONS

 The guidance from Eng. Mkandawire was instrumental in sharpening my understanding of the
Roads Authority’s mandate and improving my approach to research and report writing.
 Another lesson was on the significance of road classification with reference to transportation
planning.
 I have also had an in-depth understanding on the mandate of the roads authority.
 Attached is the written report.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 11 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....11…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this week were:
1. Attend a meeting to report on the physical performance for the 2023/24 end of the financial year
budget.
2. Conduct site visits to bridge and culverts in Dowa and Ntchisi districts. (for bridge and culvert
inspections.)
3. Conduct a road inventory along Kasangadzi -Mbonekera- Chaola School T340 road in Dowa
and Ntchisi districts.
4. Write reports on structural components for bridges and culverts, the Roads Authority’s structure
and departmental functions and procurement.

KEY ACTIVITIES
1. Physical Performance Reporting Meeting:
 Attended a meeting focused on evaluating how effectively the budget allocations for
the 2023/24 financial year have been utilized. The primary discussion revolved
around the achievement of planned physical outputs over the year, assessing the
alignment of completed work with allocated funds.

2. Site Visit to Ntchisi (T340) with Mr. Mtotera:

 Location: Kasemwe:
 Structure Inspected: An in-situ multicelled Box Culvert with 5 cells (4×2m)
 Observations:
 French drains were installed at culvert approaches to drain water from a
spring in the roadway. The french drains were composed of sloped pipes on
20mm quarry stones and covered with geotextile material to filter soil.
 A report was requested on the structural components observed from the
culvert and their respective functions.

3. Site Visit to Dowa (S115) with Mr. Mtotera:

 Location: Nambuma, Dowa District
 Structure Inspected: Nambuma Bridge with 2 spans and a precast concrete pipe
culvert (900m diameter).
 Action: I was instructed to report on the structural components observed during the
 inspection of these structures and detailing their functions.

4. Site Visit to Ntchisi (with Mr. Mtotera):

 Road Inventory Task: . Road inventory is a detailed record of all the features,
components and assets that make up a road network. It serves as a database that helps the
RA to keep track of the roads they are responsible for, including their conditions, design
features and the presence of related infrastructure such as bridges and drainage systems.
 The major problem we encountered was gully erosion. We encountered two gully
developments and some of the possible solutions are:
 Smaller Gully: construction of a check dam or retaining wall.
 Larger Gully: installation of gabion baskets followed by backfilling to mitigate
further erosion.

A picture of gully erosion

5. Research and Report Writing:

 Bridges and Culverts: Continued reading and writing reports on the differences between
culverts and bridges, including the types of each structure and the functions of their
structural components.
 Roads Authority Structure and Departmental Functions: Worked on finalizing the report
detailing the structure and departmental functions within the Roads Authority.
 Procurement and Contract/Tender Documents: Continued writing reports focused on the
Roads Authority’s procurement process, including analysis of contract and tender
documents.

LESSONS LEARNT AND OBSERVATIONS

 From the research and report writing on the Roads Authority’s organizational structure, and
procurement processes I have been equipped with more knowledge on the structure of RA and
procurement.
 Engaged in research to differentiate between bridges and culverts, furthering my technical
knowledge in civil engineering.
 Addressing erosion control measures for gully formations encountered during the road
inventory.
 New jargon- geotextile material (is a permeable material used to drainage and filtration,
reinforcing soil and to separate aggregate from each other.
  Attached are the pictures and reports from this week’s activities.

Attached is a Bridge Report with pictures in it.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 12 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....12…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

SUMMARY OF TASKS
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives this week were:
1. Attending an ANRP (Annual National Road Programme) meetings
2. Site inspections in Dedza
3. Submission and feedback meetings on reports
4. Attending a contract negotiation meeting
5. Contract and tender document, and invoice lessons

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. ANRP Planning Meetings:

 Attended a meeting with the Technical Team to discuss on how the 2025/26 Annual National
Road Programme (ANRP) planning will be carried out. This was specifically for the central
region.
 This involved compiling different maintenance activities on trunk roads in central region.
Some of road maintenance programmes include; grading, road marking, replacement of road
signs.
 This compilation focused on the priority (e.g. usage and condition) of the road and even
distribution of the maintenance activities in all districts in the region when ranking.

2. Learning about Contract and Tender Documents:

 Met with Mr. Munthali, who explained the differences between a tender and a contract
document. He provided insights into the components of a contract document, required forms,
and the process of preparing it, including calculating the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) with
reference to unit rate analysis.
 Met with Eng. Mkandawire to review the report on tender and contract documents. He
provided feedback on missing terminology and key components, suggesting further reading
and provided a soft copy of a tender document for additional study. He then referred me to
Eng. Manda for the submission of the remaining reports.

3. Submission and feedback of Reports:

  Submitted reports on the structure and procurement processes of the Roads Authority to Eng.
Manda.
 Met with Eng. Manda for a discussion on the submitted reports. Key points discussed
included:
 Adding information on the management and responsibilities of designated public roads.
 Including “monitoring” as the first step in the procurement process and referencing the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets (PPDA) Act.
 An overview of the reporting hierarchy within the Roads Authority.
 Discussing referencing, research topics, and report writing skills.
 Reviewed appraisal forms outlining the primary duties of a maintenance engineer, including
knowledge of bid data sheets, standard PPDA requirements, and estimates production.

4. Site Inspections in Dedza:

 Linthipe-Lobi (Contractor: Dika): Inspected ongoing road rehabilitation work, observing the
addition of a new formation layer and receiving an overview of the subsequent construction
layers: subbase, base, and asphalt.
 M1: Inspected drainage structures, including a box culvert to be installed (in replacement of
a pipe culvert to control water flow and gabion baskets to prevent scouring.

A picture of gabion baskets

 Dedza Boma: road rehabilitation (the first 5km to extend side widths and the rest to add a
new pavement layer) and installation of concrete pipe culvert.

An excavated area to install pipe culverts

 Salima-Balaka Route: Observed pothole patching activities and identified improper practices
by the contractor, who did not excavate part of the pavement layer before adding a tack coat.
 A picture of pothole patching

5. Contract Negotiation Meeting:

 Attended a contract negotiation meeting at the Head Office with Eng. Manda and the
procurement team on construction supervision for road and bridge maintenance across
various zones (Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Kasungu, Blantyre, and Zomba).
 Consultants involved were Pamodzi, EcoDec, BMM, Suida and Partners, and MSCAT,
whose technical and financial proposals met the required standards (76% for technical, 20%
for financial, and a final 80% combined score).
 Main Agenda Items Discussed:
 Confirmation of scope of services (confirmation if the consultant is conversant with the
new position for the Bridge Engineer to be responsible for drainage structure design).
 Technical aspects i.e. approach, methodology and work plan and activity schedule (the
consultant had to state if maintained or not and if not to resubmit).
 Verification of deliverables, facilities, and equipment (e.g., laptops, motorcycles for
inspectors).
 Confirmation on special conditions of the contract, including behavior penalties, payment
schedules, advance payments, and monthly reporting requirements.
 Confirmation of contract price and preparation of the draft contract (pending consultation
with other stakeholders).

6. Administrative Overview of Bid and Contract Documents:

 Met with Mrs. Phiri, who provided an administrative overview of bid documents and
contract documents, offering insights into their management within the Roads Authority.

7. Invoices and Payment Certificates:

 Mr. Mtorera started teaching me on invoices and planned to continue with how to prepare a
payment certificate.
 I started with checking if the calculations the total amount was correctly done from the
invoice.

ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Got an understanding of how the ANRP planning is done.
2. Acquired detailed insights into the differences between tender and contract documents and
their preparation.
 3. Learnt how contract negotiation processes go.
4. Received constructive feedback on reports from senior engineers, guiding improvements and
better alignment.

NEXT STEPS
1. Implement feedback from Eng. Manda to revise and resubmit reports.
2. Learn how to make a payment certificate.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 13 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....13…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

OBJECTIVES
1. Presentation on the industrial attachment progress.
2. Learn the preparation of a payment certificate.
3. Attend a site handover meeting for pedestrian crossing marking.

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. Presentation on the industrial attachment progress.

 During this week, I focused on drafting and refining my weekly reports with help from Mr.
Mtotera and Eng. Busani in preparation for submission to my academic supervisor, Dr.
Mbewe. These reports summarize the key activities and experiences gained during the
industrial attachment. The editing process involved refining the content to ensure clarity,
accuracy, and completeness.
 I made a formal presentation on the overall industrial activities that I have undertaken
during my attachment. This presentation was made in the presence of my industrial
supervisors, Eng. Busani and Mr. Malunga, as well as my academic supervisor, Dr.
Mbewe. The feedback from the supervisors will be incorporated into the final report.

2. Learning Payment Certificate Preparation

 Mr. Chawanagwa Munthali taught me on how to create a payment certificate. This process
involved understanding the key details that need to be included, such as the contractor’s
information, work completed, and financial breakdown. I also learned how to check these
certificates for accuracy before they are submitted for approval.

3. Site Handover for Pedestrian Crossing Marking (Likuni)

I attended the site handover for the pedestrian crossing marking in Likuni. The handover was
conducted by Mr. Mike Munthali in the presence of the contractor, Dawn, and the consultant,
Pamodzi. This project is located in a busy market area, where congestion due to high bus
volumes is a key concern. The site plan involves the following:
 Bus Bays: Normal bus bay size is 24m x 22m x 18m, but due to high bus volume, these
bays were extended to reduce congestion.
 Road Construction Materials: Reinforced concrete, class 30/20 concrete, and A142 mesh
wire were used. Shallow drains were designed to manage runoff while ensuring smooth
 movement in the market area.
 Pedestrian Crossing Marking: The pedestrian crossings will be marked in visible, straight-
line locations and in areas where footpaths meet on both sides of the road.
I was also given an insight on Traffic Calming Measures as; Road signs, rumble strips, and
humps.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Gained practical knowledge in preparing payment certificates.

2. Participated in the successful site handover for the pedestrian crossing marking project in
Likuni, learning key aspects of project handover and site management.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 14 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....14…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS
OBJECTIVES
1. Attend contract negotiation meetings
2. Conduct site inspections in Likuni and Salima.
3. Attend a meeting to welcome the new Regional Manager.

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. Meeting to Welcome New Regional Manager

I attended a meeting where the new Regional Manager, Eng. Mtawali, was introduced to the
team. During the meeting, a brief overview of ongoing activities in the office was provided to
help him familiarize himself with the current projects and operations.

2. Site Inspection in Likuni

I joined Mr. Munthali for a site inspection of the pedestrian crossing marking in Likuni. Upon
review, we found that the contractor had painted the crossing lines perpendicular to the center
line instead of parallel. We instructed the contractor to redo the work in accordance with the
specified guidelines.

3. Contract Negotiation Meetings

I attended contract negotiation meetings with various contractors, involving two consulting
companies: Pamodzi for Lilongwe projects and Kandoli for Kasungu projects. The key topics
discussed during the meetings included:
 General Issues: Submission of bid security, contract documents, supervision, site
instructions, diaries, communication procedures, performance assessments, and notification
of technical audits.
 Contractual Issues: Handling of performance bonds, insurance policies, time, cost and
quality control, and health, safety, environmental, and social concerns on site.
 Financial Issues: Advance payments and monthly payment certificates.
 Technical Issues: Confirmation of contract price, scope of work, contractor’s capacity in
terms of personnel, resources, and financial capability.

4. Site Inspections in Salima

I accompanied Mr. Munthali on site inspections along T356 (Kamenyapa to Thavite) and M005.
 Key sites included:
 Chitala Bailey Bridge (T356): Site appreciation focusing on steel, timber, and concrete
works. The site is not under construction.
 Kaning’a Box Culvert (T356): Observed rock filling which was well executed. However, the
absence of warning signs at the site posed safety risks, and improper debris disposal posed
environmental concerns.
 Liwadzi Bridge (T356): Blasting was underway to remove an old bridge and find suitable
rock for new foundations. Work progress was slow compared to the time of commencement.
 Linthipe Bridge (M005): Observed the installation of gabion baskets to control scouring
along the bridge.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

1. Bidding Document Review

I reviewed a bidding document this week to gain insights into the key elements that contractors
must adhere to during the bidding process.

2. Claims Assignment
Mr. Mtotera assigned me a task to research the types of claims in construction and how they can be
prevented. later discussed the key points, and I gained a deeper understanding of claims
management in the construction industry.

3. Introduction to Robot Structural Analysis Software

I was introduced to the robot structural analysis software this week. I began familiarizing myself
with the interface and the basic tools used for structural analysis. This software will be crucial in
future structural design and analysis work.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Introduction to robot structural analysis software, which will be essential for future structural analysis
tasks.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………

WEEK 15 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....15…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS

OBJECTIVES
1. Study the Southern African Transport and Communications Commission (SATCC) specifications
for roads and bridges.
2. Bidding document review.

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. SATCC Specifications Review

This week, I focused on studying the SATCC specifications for roads and bridges. The SATCC
guidelines are essential as they provide a framework for the design, construction, and
maintenance of road and bridge infrastructure across the Southern African region. The
specifications are detailed in different sections, this week I went through the;
 General Section: This part outlines general requirements that cover all aspects of road
construction. It includes provisions for the materials used, quality standards, and the
necessary approvals from authorities. Additionally, it emphasizes safety, environmental
considerations, and legal obligations during construction.
 Drainage Section: Drainage plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and
longevity of roads and bridges. The SATCC specifications for drainage focus on the
design and installation of proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation, which
can weaken road foundations. The document provides guidelines on the types of
drainage systems suitable for different environments, including surface drains, culverts,
and subsurface drainage.
These specifications help ensure uniformity and high standards across member countries in
road and bridge construction, improving regional connectivity and infrastructure durability.

2. Bidding Document Review

Eng. Busani assigned me to go through a bidding document for the procurement of works. The
purpose of this review was to understand how the different sections in the document are
structured and how they relate to each other. This exercise is crucial for grasping the functions
of each section. The written documentation of my findings is attached for further review.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
3. Writing an Addendum
 Eng. Busani gave me an overview of what an addendum is: a supplementary document added to
an existing contract to clarify, modify, or add information without changing the original contract
itself. Using this understanding, I was tasked with drafting an addendum addressing the cost
escalation due to the Kwacha devaluation for the contract between the Roads Authority and
Pamodzi Consulting Limited.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Developed a solid understanding of the SATCC specifications for roads and bridges,
particularly on general provisions and drainage, enhancing my knowledge of infrastructure
standards.
2. Gained an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of bidding documents,
which will be critical in future procurement-related tasks.
3. Learnt what an addendum is and how to draft it.

Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………
WEEK 16 REPORT
ANNEX 2: WEEKLY REPORT
Student Name and Registration No: ESTHER KADZANJA BCES/20/SS/006
Department: CENTRAL REGION MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Organization name and Address: ROADS AUTHORITY P/Bag B346 Lilongwe3
Week No....16…..

SUMMARY OF TASKS
Objectives
1. To attend an ANRP meeting
2. To attend contract negotiation meetings
3. Learn the Robot Structural analysis software

KEY ACTIVITIES

1. ANRP Meeting Attendance

I attended the Annual National Roads Program (ANRP) meeting this week. The focus of the meeting
was to trim the budget in order to meet the allocated funds for road projects. The discussions provided
insight into how project budgets are managed and adjusted to align with available financial resources,
ensuring that project deliverables remain realistic and achievable within the given constraints.

2. Contract Negotiation Meetings

I also attended contract negotiation meetings as part of my practical exposure. During these meetings,
key elements such as project scope, cost, and timelines as well availability of resources to execute the
project

3. Feedback from Eng. Busani

After submitting my assigned work on the review of bidding documents, Eng. Busani provided
feedback, encouraging me to further explore how bidding documents contribute to contract document
preparation. This task has deepened my understanding of how essential clear, well-prepared documents
are in preventing disputes and ensuring project success.

4. Practice with Robot Structural Analysis

I continued my practice with the Robot Structural Analysis software. Under guidance from Mr. Mtotera,
I worked through an example from Aslam Kassimali’s Structural Analysis book. I modeled the structure
in the software and verified the results, improving my hands-on skills and ability to apply theoretical
concepts to real-world structural challenges.

Achievements
Enhanced my structural analysis skills by modeling and verifying an example using Robot Structural
Analysis software.
Signature of Student……………………………………………………………….
Signature of Industrial Supervisor………………………………………………