by Eric Ogott
Following recent blames to engineers on collapsing of building nationally due to neglection of Bill of Quantities an emphasis has been made by the Engineers Board of Kenya for government to fastrack on the implementation of engineers scale of fees 2022.
The Engineers (Scale of Fees for Professional Engineering Services) Rules, 2022 was gazetted on 18th May, 2022 and commissioned on 19th July, 2022. Thereafter, on 2nd August, 2022 the circular on implementation from the Ministry was issued to all consumers of professional engineering services that from 15th August, 2022, the Scale of Fees were effected.
According to schedule 6 it state that engineers should be paid on preparation of BQs Bill of Quantities since it’s the work of Quantity surveyors and architects.
Engineer Matalanga who sits on the council of world federation engineers proffesionals has called for the government to help in cubbing challenges that is facing engineers nationally and across the region.
“There is inadequate technical capacity in engineering in the counties to carry out approval of engineering documents and provided oversight to the projects under construction. ” Says Eng Matalanga.
The engineers have proposed a multiagency approach on collaboration that will reduce the collapse of buildings. Currently there are 3000 professional engineers and the Board aims to increase the capacity to 10,000 professional engineers in the next 5 years to be at par with the UNESCO ratio 1:5000 to realise National Development Agenda in KenyaCooperation among government agencies and implementation of the engineers scale of fees for professional engineers will fast track the pace in enhancing professionalism in regulation and implement key policies for transformation and national development.
President to the engineers Kenya Erick Olaga has taken note of the approach by the Government which is consultative for increase on efficiency. The goal of digitizing government services in the next 6 months is commendable. The Board is also developing the Engineers Project Registration Portal and will be commissioning in 2023. In the short-term, County Governments are encouraged to come up with panels of professional engineers to offer the servicesairman.
“Our 10 years journey will help on planning to the county agenda and also for the budgeting purpose .The scale of fees is a plus to the public’s”President Olaga.