12 engineers practising illegally: Institute

TWELVE high-ranking engineers from the Department of Works and Implementation, including secretary David Wereh, are currently practising illegally, according to the Institute of Engineers PNG (IEPNG).
According to the institute they had failed to register with the Professional Engineers Registration Board (Perb) since last year which under the Professional Engineers Act (Amended 2007) was classified as improper conduct.
IEPNG president and Perb chairman Finkewe Zurenuoc said as a result of their failure to register, Wereh and the other engineers would be fined K10,000 each for improper conduct since 2019.
Zurenuoc said it was disappointing for engineers in high level positions within a Government department that dealt with large sums of money to do with projects and affected the credibility of the work that had been done.
In response, Wereh said their failure to register on time was not deliberate.
The secretary said the new system used to assess engineers had been introduced too swiftly, not giving them enough time to understand it and comply.
He said he and his engineers had submitted forms but there was no feedback from the institute so they thought they were in compliance.
“Time was short, we needed ample time but some engineers and I have registered and we are still waiting for our registration certificates,” Wereh said.
Under the institution’s competency based assessment (CBA) registration process introduced in 2017, engineers were required to apply for membership with IEPNG and complete an assessment to practise engineering.
“These gentlemen from the Works Department since last October, all 12 of them, did not submit any CBA form,” Zurenuoc said.
“We introduced the CBA in 2017, they have been working illegally as engineers which is in breach of the Engineers Act.
“Since we have issued them this penalty notice, five of them have come good and submitted their CBA forms including the secretary but regardless, the penalty still remains.”
Zurenuoc also said the Perb board through its powers had also engaged Henao Lawyers to engage the Department of Works in court as the employer of the 12 engineers.
The IEPNG also called on Works and Implementation Minister Michael Nali to take the matter seriously as there was a break down in the process.
According to IEPNG there are currently 3,300 registered engineers with Perb.