Amman, Dec 27 (Petra) – Minister of Public Works and Housing Maher Abu Samen on Saturday inaugurated the Engineering Contract Day, organized by the Jordan Engineers Association under the theme: "Claims, Dispute Resolution, and Ten-Year Liability in Light of the Standard Document: From Contracting to Execution and Beyond." "The selection of this topic reflects a high level of professional awareness of challenges facing the construction sector," the minister said, noting that engineering contracts are the legal and technical framework governing the relationship between project parties from contracting to handover.
The safety of structures is not just a technical obligation, but a national and ethical responsibility linked to protecting lives and property, he said, noting that the ten-year liability is a legal guarantee for quality and accountability and ensuring the sustainability of projects.
The minister pointed out that sound claims management and adherence to the standard document in government procurement contribute to reducing disputes and enhancing public spending efficiency. He stressed the importance of dispute resolution and arbitration boards to ensure project continuity and minimize costs and negative impacts.
He said developing contractual legislation and building the technical and legal capacities of engineers are key pillars to enhance the construction sector and bolster the partnership with the Engineers Association.
For his part, head of the Engineers Association, Abdullah Ghousheh, said projects whose contracts culminate in arbitration do not exceed 10 percent, adding that most disputes are resolved through professional, technical methods.
An engineering contract is no longer just a design and execution document, but an integrated system for managing risks, obligations, and governance, he said, adding that poorly drafted contracts or ambiguous responsibilities are among the key reasons of disputes.
He emphasized engineering arbitration as a speedy and fair tool, whose success depends on the quality of documentation and the accuracy of project management from its inception.
//Petra//SS
