01 Jan 2020
The ACEN News Circular for January 2020 outlines updates on various activities, policies, and initiatives relevant to the Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia (ACEN) and its members. Below is a summarized overview:
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Welcome Message:
ACEN welcomed members to 2020, expressing optimism for a productive and prosperous year for the engineering industry. -
Updates from the Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN):
- Proposed hourly tariff increases remain unapproved, with further submissions pending.
- Discussions around legal entities registering under the Engineering Act are ongoing, with no resolution yet from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT).
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Department of Works (DoW):
- Topics discussed include the role of ACEN in the industry, training on the Public Procurement Act, and the introduction of a standardized fee claim format.
- Concerns remain over VAT application on professional fees and outdated disbursement schedules.
- ACEN submitted updated disbursement schedules for consideration.
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Procurement Act – Industry Sub-Committee:
ACEN collaborated with the INQS and NIA to form an Industry Sub-Committee addressing public procurement issues. The committee's initial focus is on creating standardized agreements and terms of reference. -
Contractual Documentation – PROCSA:
ACEN promotes the use of the PROCSA Suite of Documents for client-consultant agreements. These internationally recognized documents, alongside ACEN's revised fee scale model, aim to standardize practices. -
Membership Awareness Strategy:
ACEN distributed updated lists of registered member firms to government and local authorities to increase awareness and recognition of ACEN-registered entities. -
Internship Incentive Initiative:
Plans to offer incentives to firms appointing interns will be revisited after the 2020/2021 budget approval, reinforcing ACEN’s commitment to fostering professional growth. -
Workshops and Research Initiatives:
- ACEN engaged with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) on a study linking immigration policy to economic development and skills formation. Findings aim to inform policies for improving Namibia’s business environment.
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Annual Declarations:
Members were reminded to submit their 2020/2021 Annual Declarations by February 8, 2020, to avoid penalties. Late submissions will incur a 10% increase on declared staff numbers. -
Membership Fees:
Membership invoices for 2020/2021 will be issued in March 2020, following council approval of fee increases based on the new budget.
Description:
The January 2020 newsletter underscores ACEN’s proactive engagement in shaping the engineering industry in Namibia. It highlights efforts to refine procurement processes, promote standardized documentation, and improve awareness of ACEN membership. The circular also emphasizes ACEN’s dedication to fostering professional development through internship incentives and collaboration with research initiatives. By addressing administrative, policy, and industry-wide issues, the newsletter positions ACEN as a pivotal organization driving growth and innovation within the Namibian engineering sector.
