By Olisemeka Sony
The Anambra State government has charged members of the Council of Engineering Regulations in Nigeria (COREN) in the state to work towards getting rid of quacks from the practice of engineering in the state and ensure that members comply with global practices.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo made the call during the inauguration of the Anambra State Technical Committee (STC) and Anambra State Expatriate Monitoring Committee of the Engineering (ASEMCE) Regulation Monitoring in Awka.
Governor Soludo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, also urged COREN members to work towards getting cost reflective engineering practices in the state.
“I can say on behalf of
Governor Soludo who is facing fiscal challenge that we need our engineers to think of cost effective ways for building roads and other infrastructure projects. Overseas, when there are major challenges, they go into research in order to find alternative ways of doing things. I’m challenging the engineering profession to come up with a solution because oil money is gone.
“In the past four months, we did not get allocation from the Federation account. So, the country has to begin think of how to save money from a number of major engineering profession.
He f+stressed that Anambra government led by Soludo has ambitious infrastructure development plan but lean resources to execute them.
“Sometimes, i wish that we have the resources of states like Rivers or Delta, so we could have built a first world wonders in Anambra. However, I’m happy that engineers are showing us how we can save money by doing things differently.
Prof. Chukwulobelu listed some of the challenges facing Anambra government especially in delivering quality road construction projects to include porous soil and unprofessional engineering practices.
According to him, apart from the fact that during rainfalls, road infrastructures are usually washed away, poor quality of works and supervision by engineers also ensure leave the state with poor standard roads.
He told the participants: “As you regulate, ensure that you drive out quacks from the engineering profession and ensure that engineering works are done in accordance with the global best practices in the state”, he adds.
Earlier in his address, the National President of COREN, Engr. Alli A. Rabiu disclosed that the decision to set up the monitoring and regulatory committees in Anambra state was to ensure that engineering professionals in the state discharge their duties in accordance with the global best practices. According to him, the new COREN Act empowers it to set up the engineering regulation and monitoring.
“We are in Awka, Anambra state, the Light of the Nation to strengthen the achievement of the state in engineering practice. There’s need for COREN to partner with the state to ensure that engineering practices in the state will meet the global best practices by having these committees that we are inaugurating today in Anambra.
Mr Rabiu noted that part of enforcement of the engineering practice in the state would be ensuring that only registered and licensed practitioners are engaged for any engineering job.
” Engineering profession, contracting, manufacturing, fabrication, vendoring, or engineering materials among others, require to meet the minimum requirements of practice and obtain their licenses before engaging in any engineering practice in Nigeria. This is the law.”, he said.
The COREN boss, reiterated the resolve of the leadership of the regulatory agency to stamp out quacks and quackery in the system.
“Let me make it clear that we are no longer going to allow engineers without COREN license to practice engineering in Anambra state. Any practitioner of engineering in Nigeria without license runs foul of law and its our appeal that His Excellency, the governor of Anambra State continues to insist that the State Ministry of Works and Physical Infrastructure and indeed other engineering based ministries, agencies and organizations in the state where engineering is being carried out to comply with this law.
He further urged the state government to support the regulatory agency in its operations in the state with provision of parcel of land for construction of permanent office as well as operational vehicle.
Mr Alli charged members of the committee to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
“It’s noteworthy that you have been carefully selected based on longevity, experience, sense of patriotism and above all track records in engineering profession. The whole country will rely on you, particularly Anambra state and the government and good people of the state. Our expectations is that you bring engineering practices in the state to the best global practices.
Members of the newly inaugurated Committee on Engineering Regulation Monitoring in Anambra State include, Engr. Chidi Obiudu, Engr. Okpara Augustine Emeka, Engr. Amobi Anthony Chukwuemeka, Engr. Achunike Aduaka and Engr. Chukwujekwu John Okafor. Also on the committee are Engr. Samuel Onyekwelu Udefi, Engr. Ngozi Isaac, Engr. Chiso Bright Nwangwu, Engr. Cyril Mmaduka Aneto, Engr./Tech Chike Okolo, Mr. Linus Uzor and
Mr. Nwokocha Tochukwu as well as Engr./Barr. Victor Meju.
