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14 Forum

with existing the International Public Procurement Law. ambiguity of Invitation to Tender.
Federation of Consulting Engineers Furthermore, this would reduce
(FIDIC) standard, project cost overruns and • It is also at this level that decisions
ensure good quality of services on innovative and appropriate
• New Engineering Contracts (NEC) and products delivered; technologies and green methods in
standard or any other standard for • Examine the most feasible way the construction industry should be
that matter; of coming up with improved/ made.
• Public projects should have built- enhanced Project Management
in maintenance budgets as once techniques within my Ministry The minister went on to implore engineers
delivered, these projects are hardly for all Public Infrastructure. A on how these recommendations must
ever maintained. Previously in good example is the United be a referral point and passage to
Government, every development Kingdom where they set how the engineering industry but be
project included a provision of 10 up a Projects Authority mannered.
to 15% for maintenance and this which coordinates all public
has to be reinstated as we see infrastructure projects in liaison ”This clearly lays out the fundamental
many buildings dilapidate before with the treasury and reports changes needed in policy, institutions
being put into beneficial use. directly to Cabinet; and finally, and mind-set needed to transform
• Employers should have nominated • Practice Value Engineering Botswana from an economy that largely
sub-contractors who take full where the Focus is on the depends on mineral revenue to the one
responsibility for their part of front end of the project cycle based on competitiveness, productivity,
the work and not depend solely where scrutiny is exercised efficiency and openness. Our work
on the principal contractor. This in the planning stages to should contribute to the four key
would be in line with Economic avert challenges later during priorities in the National Transformation
Inclusion Act and the re-enacted execution including removing Agenda “ he said .

Resolutions from the Forum :

Engineer.Clare Mosarwa

research priorities, ensure collaboration, fund will provide financial support
emphasize generation of “demand- for: research and development (R&D)
driven” applied research data that can initiatives in academic institutions,
immediately be actioned into working corporate entities, technology/
prototypes that address current real life innovation incubation centres etc.;
challenges. human resources development in
Engineer Clare Mosarwa also came up R&D; and building national capacity to
with resolutions from the event. These Resolution 2: harness indigenous knowledge.
namely are There is an urgent need for the
Resolution 1: establishment of a research fund. Resolution 3:
There is need for robust coordination For sustainability, the fund will raise Women are disproportionately left out
of research efforts at the national level. money in various ways among them of STEM education. Consequently, they
Improved coordination should set a stakeholder contributions, donor lose out on opportunities for upward
national research agenda and define support, a government levy etc. The mobility that come with STEM jobs and
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