Associations
Italian water expertise imported to improve SA ’ s water resources management
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The South African Institution of Civil Engineering ( SAICE ) regards this action by the government as a regrettable development that fosters neither the management of the water resources in South Africa , nor the transformation agenda of government and our people .
Issued by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering , with questions by this publication
Department of Water and Sanitation ( DWS ) Minister Nomvula Mokonyane , along with Italy ’ s deputy minister of the environment , land and sea , have signed a water co-operation agreement “ to work on joint projects that will enhance capacity building , technology transfer , and technical assistance in the fields of water quality enhancement , water resource management , water service management , and rural sanitation technology .” ( Business Live , 19 October 2016 .)
Manglin Pillay , CEO of SAICE , is outspoken , “ I am not sure what ’ s wrong with local engineering capacity that the minister goes to Italy to seek assistance . As in the case of the Cuban engineers over the years , it illustrates once again the DWS ’ s disregard for local industry body concerns . It brings to the fore the apathy and general disregard for the opinions of industry institutions , highly acknowledged key decision-makers , and water engineering specialists . SAICE implores the department to review these appointments before they arrive and to invite relevant institutions and local water experts to fashion alternatives that are appropriate to the challenges at hand .
“ It must be clarified that the dispute relating to consultation with the local institutions pertains to sourcing appropriate local solutions , in collaboration with the institutions , in order to relieve technical capacity challenges .”
Pillay continues , “ The engineering institutions have direct access to and influence on its members , some of whom have indicated willingness to work in the public sector . SAICE , for example , conducted a survey among
380 of its members , 40 % of whom indicated their willingness to work in the public sector . In addition , Consulting Engineers South Africa ( CESA ) has publicly confirmed that there is currently a 40 % underutilisation of local consulting engineering capacity in South Africa .”
Pillay argues , “ Hundreds of graduate technicians and technologists are struggling to find experiential training or sustainable work — this in a country with unemployment in excess of 25 %. On top of this , a large number of civil engineering practitioners have been retrenched over a period of a year and a half .”
According to the results of the SAICE survey , local engineering professionals are willing to work in the public sector on condition that :
• Infrastructure departments should not be politicised ;
• Technocrats should have decision-making power ;
• The lack of systems , processes and structures for efficient administration should be addressed ;
• Development and career paths should be clear ; and
• Unwarranted interference by Human Resources and Finance departments in the work of infrastructure engineering professionals should be stopped .
“ Apart from the above ,” Pillay contends , “ the initiative does not answer to the requirements of the National Development Plan ( NDP ), which is the medium- and long-term vision document for South Africa . The NDP calls for urgent re-professionalising of the public sector . The DWS now spends this money on Italian practitioners at the expense of developing young engineers and retaining local engineers .”
Continued on page 65 >> www . plumbingafrica . co . za March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1