Engineers do not issue permits - IET Ghana

The Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana (IET-GH) says engineering practitioners are not responsible for the issuance of building or development permits.

As outlined in the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), it said the authority to issue development permits lay solely with the Spatial Planning Committee (SPC) of the respective metropolitan, municipal or district assemblies (MMDAs). 

Committee

A statement signed by the President of IET-GH, Henry Kwadwo Boateng, said the committee was a multi-disciplinary body chaired by the chief executive of the assembly.

It said it included professionals such as the coordinating director, physical planning officer, head of the works department and chairpersons of relevant sub-committees (works and development planning).

Others, it said, included the development planning officer, head of the roads unit, representative of the regional director of the Environmental Protection Agency, head of disaster prevention, representative of the Lands Commission, representative of traditional authorities, not more than two assembly members and any other co-opted professionals deemed necessary by the committee.

Composition

"This composition clearly shows that the responsibility for physical planning decisions lies with a collection of professionals, not solely with engineers.

"It is, therefore, erroneous and misleading to attribute shortcomings in spatial development or permit approval to engineering practitioners, who do not play a direct role in the approval or issuance of development permits," it said.

It said the institution had noted with concern a recent statement by the Greater Accra Regional Minister suggesting the transfer of 99.9 per cent of engineers from the region over the issuance of a building permit for a project on a Ramsar site.

That assertion, it said, was not only unfortunate but also a misrepresentation of the roles and responsibilities of engineering practitioners within the local government structure.

"We call for a full investigation into any allegations that individual engineers may have issued or approved permits without following the appropriate legal and administrative processes," it said.

Scope

Such actions, if proven, it said, would be outside the scope of professional ethics and must be addressed through the proper regulatory channels.

IET-GH, it said, was committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and will support all lawful efforts to ensure accountability.

"We urge public officials to exercise diligence and seek accurate information before making public statements that may undermine professional integrity and misinform the public.

In the spirit of "collaboration and national development, IET-GH appeals to the Office of the Chief of Staff to consider organising orientation programmes for Regional Ministers to enhance their understanding of the local governance system, relevant legislation and the roles of various professionals within the built environment".

Furthermore, it said the Engineering Council of Ghana remained available to support public education and engagement on the specific roles of engineering practitioners across public institutions.