Africa-Press – Tanzania. WORKS and Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa yesterday challenged surveyors and architectural and quantity surveying consulting firms to stop charging their clients exorbitant costs.
Prof Mbarawa claimed that some potential clients were now shunning the services of Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Interior Designers as their charges were expensive, and out of reach to many.
“Oblivious of your charges, some of the clients are now opting for those who charge lowly,” explained the Minister while opening the second Architects and Quantity Surveyors Registration Board (AQRB) annual conference.
According to Prof Mbarawa, the trend has seen many high-rise buildings and other government structures built below standards.
“Make an effort of charging your clients conveniently as per the market price and demand, instead of making a kill of out them,” he appealed.
The Minister also challenged the Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Interior Designers to exhibit professionalism in restoring trust among their clients.
In his quick rejoinder, Architectural Association of Tanzania (AAT) David Kibebe called for the review of the Force Account System, claiming that it was compromising their services.
Also known as work-by-force account, or time and material work, this is a payment method for constructions work where there is no existing agreement on cost.
In this case, the works are undertaken with the understanding that the client will pay the contractor according to the actual cost of their labour, materials, and equipment, with an additional percentage for overheads and a mark-up for profit.
The two planes, christened Zanzibar and Tanzanite are set to touch down at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in the afternoon, where they will be received by the popular water salute.
Briefing reporters here yesterday Works and Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa said the arrival of the two aircraft is a strong statement of the government’s desire of bolstering the country’s aviation sector.
Purchased in Canada, the Airbus-make planes have each, a capacity of carrying 132 passengers and have an ability of flying for six hours, non-stop.
“The business class will have a capacity of 12 passengers while the economy class will carry 120 people,” said the minister.
According to Prof Mbarawa, the two aircraft also have a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 69.9 tonnes which is an addition from the previous 67.6 tonnes.
MTOW is the maximum mass at which the aircraft is certified for takeoff due to structural or other limits.
They will also feature In-flight entertainment (IFE) for both, children and the adult.
