WINDHOEK, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has exempted Zimbabwean architects and quantity surveyors from registering with the Namibia Architects and Quantity Surveyors' Council.
There are 29 Zimbabweans seconded by their government to Namibia after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2012.
Addressing a press conference Monday in Windhoek works ministry permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann said the contracts of the Zimbabwean professionals have also been extended Oct. 31, 2017.
The press conference was convened to clarify a story carried by the Namibian media following works minister Alpheus !Naruseb's letter to the Namibia Architects and Quantity Surveyors' Council to exempt the Zimbabweans was leaked Sunday.
According to the Architects and Quantity Surveyors' Act of 1979, architects and quantity surveyors must write tests for the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors to accept them as members.
Goeiemann said they decided to exempt the Zimbabweans in fulfilment of the MoU that stated that Namibia "assists the Zimbabwean professionals, who are already registered with professional bodies in Zimbabwe to register with similar bodies in Namibia."
Goeiemann also said that the Public Service Commission required that the Zimbabwean professionals must be registered by relevant professional organizations in Namibia within 12 months after assumption of duties.
"Most importantly it must be noted that the signed MoU aims to boost local technical capacity through in-service training and mentorship recognizable by local professional bodies such that the trainees are eligible for registration as full professionals in future," Goeiemann said.
According to Goeiemann, the works ministry has been consulting with the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors in connection with this matter since Nov. 2014.
Goeiemann further said that the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors accepted the exemption in Dec. 2014 thereby allowing the works ministry to gazette the special registration on April 13 this year.
"It is very important to note that this registration is tied to the period of employment with the Government and will automatically lapse upon expiry of the contract," Goeiemann said.
He also stated that the registration is not recognized outside the Government, which means that those accorded the special registration cannot provide professional services for private sector entities or individuals. Enditem
