The Institute of Engineers Rwanda (IER) has urged engineers in the country to maintain professionalism in their work if they are to play a key role in estates and industrial development.

This was the message delivered at the launch of the Engineering Week.

Marked under the theme "Engineering for Sustainable Development,” the drive launched on August 28, will end on September 4.

It features awareness campaigns among the youth and general public about engineering, the law governing the Engineering profession in Rwanda and outreach programmes.

A stakeholders meeting, educational workshop, mentoring activities are among the activities to be carried during the drive.

There are over 3,000 Rwandan engineers in the country but only 500 of them are registered with the Institution of Engineers Rwanda.

Speaking to The New Times on Friday, Eng. Fred Rwihunda, the president of IER, appealed to engineers who haven’t registered with their body to do so.

"Some registered engineers don’t have professional competences despite having academic skills,” he said.

The engineers held a discussion with pupils at Kigali Parents’ Primary School, in part, to encourage them to embrace engineering at an early age.

 "We decided to start the engineering ‘week’ in primary schools to inspire learners to dream of being professional engineering in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, the engineers decried the cost of construction of raw materials due to the fact that many of the materials are imported.

They said plans are underway to engage local factories and the government to provide them with their materials at an affordable price.

"Many construction materials are being imported because local materials are either still too expensive to afford or sub standard which affects quality of work. But with the government’s intervention, we hope to reach an agreement on this issue,” said Theobald Mugabo, the Director of Muhima Investment Director as well as Hygebat Construction contractor.

Members of IER also visited different construction sites in the City of Kigali to hear workers’ concerns and how they manage to solve them.