BORAQS CPD Seminar

The first Continous Proffesional Development Seminar of the year by BORAQS was held yesterday at Safari Park Hotel. It was the first compulsory CPD meeting for members since new rules were introduced last year so moi had to attend or risk de-registration. The theme was "The role of Professionals in Reconstruction".

Some Highlights of the meeting:

Inspiring talk by HABITAT representative Mr. Claudio Acioly on how Habitat handled the after effects of the Pakistan Earthquake two years ago. He had some very interesting pointers on how Brazil manages to handle the rapid urbanisation currently taking place which I am sure our planners could learn from. For example a city mayor can be jailed if he/she does not come up with a Participatory Urban Plan in the first six month of taking the office.

Qs. Mwai Mathenge talked about the conflicts in cap 525 of the Kenya laws and the Procurement Act which governs how the government handles tenders. Simply put, tenders for construction work are in the same category as tenders for pens in the Ministry.

Dr. Elijah Agevi seems like he would have left the audience more inspired if he had more time. He talked about inflation and funding reconstruction.

Red Cross representative Davies Okoko gave an inside view into how the Kenya Red Cross deals with disasters. They work with scenarios and were prepared for the worst during the last elections and thus were able to handle the Internally Displaced persons. According to the Red Cross, the resettlement of IDP's will last till October 2009. Resettlement will follow the rainy season.

Dr. Robert Rukwaro talked about the approach to resettlement & challenges to be faced. Too theoretical in my opinion.

PS of Roads Mr. Michael Kamau gave the closing speech and challenge the attendants to become more proactive in the society by shedding the outdated laws. He cited the example of Supply Officers who were sacked by the government. They regrouped and branded themselves as Procurement Agents and pushed the Procurement Act through parliament, thus gaining back their jobs. PS's only afraid of two laws - the Anti Corruption and Economic Crimes Act & the Procurement Act. He mentioned the problems and challenges he has at work whereby the Lands Ministry subdivides land and leaves no drainage way leave. No wonder our roads flood during the rainy season! Asked why Architects do not do site supervision leaving it to Clerk of Works.

From the meeting some things emerged:

• Members have not been involved in any resettlement work.

• Members seem at loss as to how to handle the Procurement Act which is in direct conflict with Cap 525

• In bad taste some members wanted each IDP to be given 1m cash handouts and another suggested buying land in Eldoret since it was cheap just as some members were buying buildings in Zimbabwe due to inflation.

Mr. Okoko from the Kenya Red Cross nearly declined a cash donation from the Board when one member who is an ex politician accused the KRC of misappropriating food in the IDP camps.

Overall...somewhat too long. The inspirational talks came from none members. Unfortunately too much emphasis is given to theoretical aka Rukwaro solutions and laws at the expense of the practical ones.

What I hope to see is members showcasing their works...oh forgot it may go against the 1968 advertising laws :-/