25 Nov 2024

The ACEN News Circular provides updates on the activities and initiatives of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia (ACEN) from November 2022 to April 2023. Key highlights include:

1. Membership Updates:

   • Hexagon Engineering and Conselect Engineering joined ACEN, while VDM Consultants terminated their membership.
   • Members are encouraged to recommend project managers and non-member firms for ACEN membership.
   • Membership fees for 2023 are due by the end of June 2023, with penalties for late payments.

2. Contractual Documentation – PROCSA:
   Updates to Annexure C Fee Scales for Engineers and Project Managers will be released by July 2023, along with adjustments to constants and the disbursement schedule.

3. FIDIC Africa:

   • The FIDIC Africa 29th Conference will be held in Livingstone, Zambia, from May 21–24, 2023.
   • ACEN emphasizes budgeting for the 2025 FIDIC Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

4. Internship Incentive Program:
   The reward rate for hosting interns has been increased to 40% of supervising professionals’ rates, encouraging member firms to train and mentor young engineers.

5. Marketing and Social Media:

   • ACEN launched a LinkedIn profile to enhance industry engagement and visibility.
   • Members are encouraged to share news, job openings, and project updates for publication on social media platforms.

6. Green Hydrogen Opportunities:
   ACEN is urging government policies to ensure local expertise is used in green hydrogen projects, emphasizing that all engineering work must be performed and signed off by ECN-registered engineers.

7. Membership Termination Policy:
   Members with outstanding fees by June 2023 face immediate membership termination. Reapplication involves repaying outstanding balances and undergoing a probation period.

8. Legal Opinion on Ministry Directives:
   ACEN is reviewing legal opinions on disputed Ministry of Works and Transport directives regarding invoice submission procedures, aiming to clarify their legitimacy.

9. Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN):

   • Drafting updates for the Professions’ (Engineering) Act, including legal entity registration and CPD point structures.
   • Efforts to revise disbursement schedules and request hourly tariff increases are ongoing.

10. Liaison with the Department of Works (DoW):
    Outstanding matters from previous meetings are under review, with correspondence forwarded to the ECN Council for further action.

11. Administration:
    ACEN office hours remain 8:00 to 13:00, Monday to Friday. Members are advised to verify the correct contact information for correspondence.

Description:

The newsletter highlights ACEN’s active role in enhancing its operations, fostering collaboration, and influencing policies that impact the engineering industry. From addressing green hydrogen opportunities to strengthening internship incentives and contractual documentation, ACEN continues to prioritize professional development and industry advocacy. The circular also emphasizes maintaining membership compliance and encourages engagement through marketing and social media platforms. These updates reflect ACEN’s commitment to supporting its members and driving growth in Namibia’s engineering sector.