Construction affiliated boards making progress
Baboki Kayawe | Thursday March 23, 2017 17:50
The Engineers Registration Act came into force last year, to protect the status of engineers and create the ERB. It was meant to pass laws to combat the corruption, bribery and unethical practices that have caused delays, cost overruns and shoddy work in major construction projects. Hence, the ERB exists to enhance the standing of engineers and combat unethical practice.
Molefhi was presenting his ministerial budget proposal before the Committee of Supply on Tuesday. Moreover, the Architects Registration Council received 274 applications from architects, architectural technologists and architectural draftsperson of which 169 architectural professionals have been registered.
“The number of candidates issued with certificate of registration and practicing certificate increased shortly following the examinations that were conducted in November 2016,” Molefhi said. With regards to the Quantity Surveyors Registration Council, the founding Registrar was officially appointed in February 2016.
Molefhi said the Council has since made commendable progress with regard to the establishment of its office whose function is among others to oversee the day-to-day administration activities of the Council including registration of Quantity Surveyors.
He added the Council is expected to commence the registration of Quantity Surveyors as soon as the Quantity Surveyors Registration Regulations and the Code of Ethics are completed. Moreover, consultations on the completion of these documents are currently on going and expected to be finalised in due course.
“It is worth noting that the stated instruments are pivotal in guiding Professional Conduct Standards for Quantity Surveyors in Botswana and will thus play a critical role in facilitating the envisaged registration process,” he added.
He further said creation of a self-regulatory environment in which the construction sector can develop and grow so as to meaningfully contribute to the growth of the country’s economy is invaluable.
In this regard, he said the Construction Industry Authority Draft Bill was received from Attorney General Chambers December 2016 for perusal and comments. The target is to submit the Draft Bill to Cabinet for consideration during the first quarter of this financial year culminating in its submission to Parliament for consideration. Meanwhile, the review of the Building Control Act has commenced and the consultant submitted the Draft Inception Report in December 2016.
The minister explained the reference group has already considered and approved the inception report and instructed the consultant to proceed to the next phase of the project.
The approval of the inception report has paved way for the development and submission of the 1st Draft Revised Building Control Act as the next key milestone and is expected to be achieved by April/May 2017, he said.