News from the SA water sector January 2016

Abstract

Letters and Opinion The CEO of the Water Research Commission (WRC) saw fit in the July/August edition of the Water Wheel to attack the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) and Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) for their strong objections to the employment of Cuban engineers by Government when there is a shortage of work in the country for engineers. Contrary to official perceptions we do have considerable skills available in the private sector. The serious delays in implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) being one of the prime factors. The other is the procurement process, which does not recognise the specific needs for the engagement of consultancies to assist the Government. I believe that a measured response is required as it appears that the CEO has a lack of understanding of the regulation of the engineering profession by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) in South Africa and what is happening in the industry. The Washington, Sydney and Dublin accords are not designed to tie South Africa to the “Apartheid Era biases” .

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