Partnership for better services

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The National Equipment and Machinery Organisation (NEMO), which remained non-functional for a long period, was amalgamated with the State Engineering Corporation on the approval of the Cabinet on a memorandum by Construction, Engineering Services and Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

The prime objective of reviving the NEMO under the State Engineering Corporation was to make available to the State and private sector the services of competent engineers, skilled manpower and heavy machineries.

The move will help boost the national development drive launched by the Government.

The NEMO, established in 1992 under the National Housing Development Authority by Act No. 17 of 1987, was an active partner in national development. The NEMO had 400 items of heavy machinery and equipment and 210 heavy vehicles and a staff of 737 at inception. It was a profit-earning enterprise during the period of 1993-2000 and became a commercially non-viable venture incurring heavy losses later.

The Corporation has four precast concrete yards. It uses modern computer technology and maintains an improved software network in the construction sector. It is the only Sri Lankan institution that has won the ISO 9001-2000 quality award for its achievements in the engineering and construction sector.