Prime Minister’s Address to Engineers

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The following is the Prime Minister’s address to the engineers during the opening of the Engineers International Conference held form 9TH – 11TH MAY 2012 at the KICC.The Prime Minister,Hon.Raila Odinga had been invited as the chief guest at the opening of the conference:-

Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me first to take this opportunity to thank the Institution of Engineers of Kenya and in particular the organizers of this conference for inviting me to come and open this very important conference.  This comes at a time when Kenyan people are looking to reap the fruits of promulgation of the Constitution on August 27, 2010.

I am aware that during this conference, the participants will have the opportunity to discuss a number of issues relating to devolved government, key among them:
(1)    Enabling Policy Legislative and Regulatory Framework.
(2)    County government models for infrastructure
(3)    Challenges of provision of infrastructure
(4)    Capacity building
(5)    Finance, procurement and contracting.

The presentations and discussions will be geared towards providing an opportunity to dialogue on the devolved government arrangements and more importantly to create awareness amongst the Engineers on developments on this very important method of delivering public services.

Let me now re-emphasize the critical role of Engineers in ensuring service delivery under the County Governments. Engineering is one of the fundamental skill resources for the sustainable development of a country.  Poor engineering wastes money, is detrimental to the environment, can limit livelihood opportunities and may well lead to considerable loss of life. Effective engineering makes good use of resources, provides the services that assist people to meet their livelihood needs, helps provide better health and safety and contributes fundamentally to the creation of wealth and the reduction of poverty.

Indeed, Sustainable Development can only be met if the principles of Sustainable Engineering are adhered to. This calls for striving for appropriate, affordable and Sustainable engineering services and infrastructure within the local environment. This will in turn necessitates the development and maintenance of indigenous scientific and technological skills and expertise supported and facilitated by the key stakeholders including government, private enterprise, academic and professional structures.

Under the County government, the Engineers will be expected to prepare feasibility studies for projects, and while doing so, come up with the most appropriate technical solutions.  We must all understand that a solution to infrastructure service must first be technically feasible before it can be tested for financial and economic viability as well as environmental sustainability.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Raising capital to finance much needed infrastructure projects in 47 counties, shall remain the greatest challenge as this requires an effective enabling environment.  The Kenya government has worked towards providing this enabling environment by having a strong political will, robust legal and institutional framework as well as strengthening public sector capabilities to effectively handle devolved government successfully.

You will realize that for successful implementation of Constitution there is a dire need to develop holistically our domestic capacity to be able to finance, design, build and operate infrastructure facilities and services.  As you are aware, the promulgated constitution is calling for heavy sacrifices and therefore human resource capacity is a critical ingredient in delivery of services.  Skills and capabilities will be required in areas of development, preparation of infrastructural projects, assessment of fiscal costs and risks, design and execution of projects, oversight and contract management amongst others.  The professionals involved in the preparation of service delivery mechanisms including Engineers will need to acquire new skills to be able to cope with these challenges.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Engineers are known the world over to be very innovative and are at the centre of inventions, harnessing and wealth creation.  Indeed, it is said that our great profession is charged by society with modifying the natural environment, through the design and manufacture of artifacts.  We serve mankind by making dreams come true.

While there has been a lot of enthusiasm on devolved government for the Kenyan people to realize their potential; taking cognizance of geographical, vast resources, physical, financial capacity and cultural diversity of our Nation, there are issues to be addressed coupled with lack of awareness on the concepts and basic principles on the same by both public and private sector participants.

This conference therefore offers the greatest opportunity to create awareness amongst the Engineers and the members of public.  I thank the Engineering fraternity for being the amongst the professional bodies to organize and host a well publicized conference on this subject.  This will go a long way in harnessing the natural resources for the benefit of mankind.

With these few remarks, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me wish all the participants fruitful deliberations for the next three days.  I am convinced that this is the first step of a long journey towards a successful implementation of Constitution. To the Engineering professionals, there is a great future and unlimited scope for you; new works of all kinds are and will be required in every part of the 47 counties, I cannot imagine a more rewarding undertaking in implementation of this Constitution.

It is now my pleasure to declare this Conference officially opened.
Thank you for your attention and may God Bless our country.

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