| Danial Norjidi |
THE topic of delay and extension of time (EOT) claims was discussed on Thursday during an evening lecture organised by the Brunei Association of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (PUJA).
The lecture took place at the Ministry of Development Training Centre, and saw the attendance of Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, the Deputy Minister of Development as the guest of honour.
Some 180 participants attended the talk, entitled ‘Handling Delay & Extension of time Claims/Issues’, delivered by Harbans Singh.
Singh is a professional chartered engineer, arbitrator, adjudicator, mediator, advocate and solicitor.
He is active in construction law dispute resolution and is also the author of a book called ‘Harbans’ Engineering and Construction Contracts Management’.
Prior to the lecture, the proceedings saw Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Mohammad Yusof, the President of PUJA, deliver welcoming remarks.
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, the Deputy Minister of Development, during the event. – DANIAL NORJIDI
In his speech, the PUJA president shared a brief outline of PUJA Brunei’s strategic thrust for the next two years, which he said is based on recalling PUJA objectives.
He also spoke on what he called “the key challenges we as an industry and professionals face now and in the coming years.”
“The key challenges we have identified among others are firstly, confidence from professionals, which if some reports are to be believed, is at a low level,” he said. “Second is the global economic situation, economic downturn and diversification that Brunei is facing.”
The third challenge he mentioned was that of ignorance. “Ignorance in professional and ethical practice among the stakeholders including clients, contractors and suppliers.”
The fourth key challenge is increasing membership participation benefits and meaningfulness, while the fifth pertains to the sustainability of PUJA, he said
“Two of these challenges, namely confidence on professionals and ignorance or lack of awareness and knowledge in professionals, and ethical practice have direct bearing on how we, as an industry, as professionals are seen in conducting our business and work.”
“In addressing these two challenges, PUJA will work to restore and increase confidence on professionals and promote professional and ethical practices.”
“This will be done by ensuring quality of professionals through benchmarking to international standards, including academic qualifications, strengthening professional assessment process, increasing and benchmarking of quality of reviewers and promoting lifelong learning through continuing professional development and engagement with stakeholders to share knowledge and create awareness.”
He called Thursday night’s event an example of this initiative.
“Delay and extension of time claims are very common occurrences in projects and are becoming synonymous to today’s industry,” he said.
He said that poor contract administration or a delay in decision-making can have implications that are very costly monetary-wise or to professional image.
“On this note, tonight’s topic is very timely,” he said.
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