23 Jul 2013

Members of Parliament have approved the Engineers (Amendment) Bill that seeks to limit the minister’s discretionary powers of exempting engineers from the requirement to hold a practicing certificate.

During their debate on July 22, MPs unanimously supported the bill saying it would curb abuse which resulted with additional costs to government infrastructure.

Responding to comments aired by members during the debate on Monday, the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Johnnie Swart said his ministry would take into consideration their comments when reviewing the bill.

Mr Swartz agreed that there should be continuous upgrading of such acts as a way of keeping track of government projects, adding that appointed board members should be eligible for those positions so that they would be able to help in protecting the engineering profession.

Earlier on during the debate, Mahalapye East MP, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso welcomed the proposal saying the country had lost enormous funds due to unscrupulous engineers adding that a number of projects around the country remained incomplete while some were completed at escalated prices.

Ms Tshireletso said the Serowe Stadium engineers were told about the black soil but they undermined the councilors during the consultation processes hence it remains a white elephant. She said engineers tendering for public works were only interested in making profits rather than delivery, hence the shoddy work done in government buildings.

She said she hopes the Bill would be passed into law before major products were undertaken as engineers would be facing possible black listing for poor workmanship.

The Mahalapye East legislator also said engineers need to think forward saying a number of roads were constructed at exorbitant prices because they failed to think outside the box.

For his part, Kanye South MP Kentse Rammidi said some of the projects undertaken by engineers were an embarrassment saying the Mogobane-Ntlhantlhe-Ranaka-Kanye road was in a state of repair although it has not reached its life span.

MP Rammidi said he wondered if the engineers involved in the project were still undertaking further projects in Botswana.

He said the Gaborone roads drainage system did not work well although qualified engineers were hired and properly paid adding trenches dug out are too big hence they could not be covered and were  a hazard to road users.

Mr Rammidi said he suspects foul play as some engineers make it difficult for construction companies to complete their work on time knowing they make more money in the process.

He said he was disappointed as even Batswana engineers have failed the nation.

For his part, Bobirwa MP Shaw Kgathi said the engineering profession was important as they play a meaningful role in the development of Botswana hence he agrees with the proposals to limit the minister’s powers.

He called upon Minister Swartz to address issues of professional misconduct as is the case with the lawyers.

He said such engineers should immediately be removed from the roll and not be allowed to practice.

MP Kgathi said there were a number of construction faults where engineers are to blame such as at the Francistown, Serowe and National Stadiums.

In Serowe, he said they failed to excavate the black soil as stated while the drainage system at the National Stadium was not properly done while at Shakawe Senior School brick force was not used during construction.

MP Kgathi further called upon the minister to address issues of clashes between the engineers and contractors as consultants make more money when the project is delayed.

Letlhakeng West MP Ngaka Ngaka also welcomed the Bill saying a number of projects were of sub-standard such as the Thebephatshwa-Letlhakeng road which he said is bumpy.

 He said engineers should constantly be tested in order for them to remain at par with the changes in the profession.

Okavango legislator, Mr Bagalatia Arone said board membership should constitute qualified personnel who know about the profession. ENDS