01 Oct 2023
The ACEN News Circular for October 2023 provides updates on administrative, industry, and policy matters, focusing on membership growth, council changes, and ongoing advocacy efforts.
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General and Membership Updates:
- ACEN Council holds monthly meetings to address industry matters and promote collaboration.
- Gert Maritz and Nicky Mbaimbai joined the council following elections during the AGM, replacing outgoing member Heiko Klink.
- ACEN represents 60 consulting firms employing 300 professional engineers and 43 engineering technicians.
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Membership Changes:
- New member firms include Tweya CE, Green Route CE, Trinitas CE, Conselect Consulting, and RCE Consultants.
- Struxit CE and Blueprint CE terminated their memberships.
- Total membership fees collected for 2023 amounted to N$ 625,024.43.
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Contractual Documentation – PROCSA:
The Annexure C Fee Scales for Engineers and adjustments to the Constant A and Disbursement Schedule were updated and distributed to members in August 2023. -
Standardized Fee Claim Template:
An updated Fee Account Template will be distributed to members soon, streamlining the claims submission process. -
Internship Incentive Program:
- ACEN reimbursed member firms a total of N$ 18,647.61 for hosting interns in 2023.
- Member firms are compensated 40% of supervising engineers’ rates for each intern.
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Green Hydrogen Opportunities:
ACEN has urged the government to ensure local expertise is prioritized in green hydrogen projects and that all engineering work is signed off by ECN-registered engineers. -
Membership Termination Policy:
- Members with unpaid fees by June will face immediate termination.
- Reapplication involves repaying debts and undergoing a three-month probation period.
- Voluntary terminations by March avoid penalties but prevent reapplication within the same year.
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Legal Opinions on Ministry Directives:
Legal opinions on travel time, standing time fees, and load-bearing brickwork were reviewed and escalated to the ECN for further action. -
Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN):
- Updates to the draft Engineering Act include CPD point requirements and legal entity registration.
- Efforts continue to approve new hourly tariffs and disbursement schedules.
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Department of Works (DoW):
Outstanding issues from the May 2022 meeting with the Ministry of Works and Transport were referred to the ECN for resolution. -
Member Survey:
ACEN plans to launch a survey to assess member satisfaction and gather feedback on its effectiveness. -
Administration:
Office hours are confirmed as 8:00–13:00, Monday to Friday. Members are reminded to use the updated contact details for correspondence.
Description:
The October 2023 newsletter highlights ACEN’s efforts to support its members through updated documentation, advocacy for local expertise in green hydrogen projects, and initiatives like the Internship Incentive Program. It reflects ACEN’s continued dedication to fostering professionalism and growth in Namibia’s consulting engineering sector.
