Regulation of contractors gathers steam

Keikantse Lesemela | Friday August 8, 2014 13:41

 

The Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology (MIST), Johnie Swartz said the drafting of the appropriate legislation for registration of construction contractors in all disciplines is in progress and will be in place next year.

Speaking at the Infrastructure Science and Technology Pitso held in Gaborone this week the minister said that these efforts are meant to bring professionalism in the construction industry where shoddy jobs have been blamed on fly-by-night contractors.

“We acknowledge that this particular Act has delayed due to its slow start but we are determined to achieve its implementation by 2015,” said Swartz.

The ministry has also been advocating for self-regulation in the construction industry leading to the formation of three professional registration boards or councils in the past few years.

In 2010, the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) and the Architects Registration Council (ARC) were formed and the amendments acts in 2012 for the two respective professions have now paved way for the implementation of the two Acts.

According to Swartz, the ERB has already started registering engineers while the ARC is expected to start registration of Architects before the end of 2014.

The Quantity Surveyor’s Registration Council (QSRC) was launched in July 2014 following the enactment of the Quantity Surveyors Act in April this year.

“QSRC) is expected to start registration as soon as possible,” said the minister.

Swartz also urged the private sector to offer quality services, as the government cannot handle projects done by the private sector.

“Government has no business to be hands-on on activities that can be best performed if left in the hands of the private sector,” he said.

The contractors have been urged to register with their respective associations in order to be considered for contracts by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB).

Responding to the participants’ questions during the Pitso, permanent Secretary Dikagiso Mokotedi said the ministry has had so many challenges with the contractors.

“Even up to now it is still difficult to identify a good builder from a poor one. It is always a problem to distinguish professional contractors and fly-by-night contractors from tender proposals,” said Mokotedi.

He said only registering would help distinguish professionals from non-professionals.

“Registration has been initiated in a way that it is self regulatory and they include their credentials so it will be easier for PPADB evaluators to process tender proposals,” he said.