Architects� council to receive govt funding
Isaiah Morewagae | Friday April 4, 2014 14:42
The Minister on Wednesday said that the proposed amendments to the Architects’ Registration Act were key to lifting the council from the financial crisis that has stymied its progress.
“Whilst it is intended that in the long term the council would become self-sustaining through revenue generated from registration fees and other means, such funds can accrue after the registration process has commenced,” Swartz said in Parliament.
Swartz said the act had been in limbo for five years, with the Architects Association of Botswana, which is a major stakeholder, calling for its amendment to make provision for funding through subvention.
“While the act came into force in 2009, it was never implemented because the council, which is to run the affairs of architects, has experienced operational challenges due to lack of funding,” he said, adding that, “The council could neither employ staff nor procure goods and services to fulfil their mandate”.
He noted that the council is critical in determining qualification requirements for each category of registration as well as the discipline of practicing architects.
Swartz added that the amendments would also make certain improvements to the act designed to protect the interests of members of the public who engage the services of architects.
“The Act was enacted by Parliament in 2008 to provide for self-regulation of the architectural profession in Botswana, in line with international trends of having a national register of professional architects with minimum requirements to practice in the profession,” Swartz said. He added: “The implementation of this Act would undoubtedly and substantially address issues of service delivery in the construction sector.”
The Architects’ Registration Council is also mandated with the discipline of practicing architects in cases of malpractice.