Malawi engineers push for repealing Act

The Malawi Institution of Engineers (MIE) has said it is facilitating the repealing of the Engineers Act to empower them to be recognised and have influence on the country’s policies.

MIE president Andrew Thawe, speaking on Thursday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre during a cocktail that included chief executive officers (CEO) from engineering companies, said the repealing of the Act is at an advanced stage.

Speaking on the sidelines of the cocktail, he pointed out that engineers in the country experience, challenges, including recognition and the outdated Engineers Act.

He argued that because the Act is outdated engineers are not involved at larger policy level.

“The Malawi Board of Engineers will soon submit the Act to the principal secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Development. He will then take it up to the next level for the cabinet to decide. Once the Cabinet decides then it should be taken to Parliament. We have planned that the repealed Act should be ready by end of this year,” said Thawe.

He added that they will ensure that local engineers receive adequate training so that they are able to take up jobs in other countries.

According to MIE, the Malawi Board of Engineers will ensure that as many engineers as possible undergo and become prepared for the engineering profession.

“We are working to make sure that most engineers are trained on top of their academic qualification by going through some training to become a qualified engineer,” said Thawe who is also Blantyre Water Board chief executive .

The cocktail included CEOs who are engineers or those that are not engineers but are heading engineering institutions.

According to Thawe, the cocktail was aimed at indulging them as beneficiaries of our services and what they expected from MIE in the next 12 months.