Engineering body takes on Roads Authority

OGONE TLHAGE







WINDHOEK

The Namibian Society of Engineers (NASE) is accusing the Roads Authority of ignoring requirements of the Engineering Professions Bill that regulates workings in the industry.

This relates to its Oshakati regional engineering manager position, which the society said a locally registered engineer could occupy.

Its secretary for industrial and state-owned enterprise relations, Kefas Kanyungule, wrote to transport minister John Mutorwa last week bemoaning that the RA was not upholding the requirements of the set laws.

“It is our conviction that the position in the state-owned enterprise of the regional engineering manager: Oshakati does not qualify as an exceptional role with a skill set requirement with specialised knowledge that cannot be fulfilled by Namibian registered engineers, as it pertains to the directive of the ministry of public enterprises,” Kanyangule wrote.

Undermining locals

The NASE further took issue with the RA engaging expatriates who were not registered with the Engineering Council of Namibia within one year of employment, accusing it of undermining locally trained engineers.

“It should be noted that the annual understudy reports are always positive with regards to the performance of local engineers over the past 15 years, but the RA continues to undermine local talent and experience.

“We would like to petition the RA to not treat the understudy as a mere ‘window dressing’ but actually produce palpable results within the stipulated periods,” the letter further read.

Kanyangule further implored the RA to cease renewing the contracts of expatriates whose duties can be fulfilled by fully registered Namibian registered engineers.

“It is therefore our sincere hope that your respectable office will attend to the matter in the spirit of upholding integrity within the engineering industry and we look forward to your prompt response.”