Architects and Engineers come together in a dinner

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The engineers chapter of Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) held a dinner on Thursday,29th November 2012 at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. The dinner themed

“The role of engineers in the development of infrastructure,ICT and Housing” was attended by senior government officials among them Arch.Philip Sika,PS Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan and PS Ministry of Public Works, Arch.Gideon Mulyungi,National Construction Authority executive director,Arch.Daniel Manduku among others.

The event kicked off at 8pm with sponsors making their presentations followed by those of the chief guests. Among the sponsors of the event were Savannah Cement, Apex Steel, Structural Audit Systems ltd.

The Engineers Chapter of AAK is one of the five chapters formed at the inception of AAK in 1967.The chapter of the body which mainly deals with the built and natural environment currently has 61 members comprising of 3 Fellows,56 corporate and 3 graduates.

Speaking at the event, Eng.Nathaniel Matalanga pointed that engineers could not adequately meet their objectives in the building industry without support and cooperation from architects, town planners and quantity surveyors. He thanked AAK for offering the platform for the mentioned professionals to meet.

“Real development can only be achieved if we develop our infrastructure and Kenya being strategically located to be an economic hub of the region, we need to improve our infrastructure to benefit from this advantage”, said Eng.Matalanga.

He pointed that the government has clear guidelines on scales of fees to be charged for the provision of professional services and that AAK had managed to get the Public Procurement Oversight Authority to give clear direction on the matter.

“Proper remuneration of engineering services will ensure that quality service is provided”, he added.

Following consistent push to the authorities, it was announced that professionals had been excluded from getting Single Business Permits.

Approval of building plans
The local authorities require that developers indemnify building plans and insist on professionals being employed for the design and construction supervision of buildings.
An online register to be maintained at the local authority websites was proposed as it would shorten the approval process.

The register is to show record of ongoing construction, submitted plans pending approval and feedback on reason for non-approval can be immediately communicated to the professionals concerned.