NICE Seeks Anambra Govt Partnership to Create Jobs, Curb Quackery in Engineering

By Michael Ovat

The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Awka Chapter, has called for stronger collaboration with the Anambra State Government to create job opportunities for qualified civil engineers and tackle the growing menace of quackery in the profession.

The institution made the call during a courtesy visit to the Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Henry Arinze, at the State Secretariat in Awka on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of NICE Awka Chapter, Engr. Obiudu Chidi, comprised past chairmen of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka Branch, chapter executives, practising engineers, graduate engineers and civil engineering students.

Speaking during the visit, Chidi said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the engineering profession and the state government, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, housing and employment opportunities for certified practitioners.

He said the influx of unqualified persons posing as civil engineers had adversely affected genuine professionals while also posing serious risks to public infrastructure.

According to him, NICE is prepared to work with the government to monitor engineering activities across the state and help curb quackery, which he linked to the increasing cases of road, bridge and other structural failures.

“NICE is fully committed and ready to partner with the Anambra Government to monitor the activities of quack civil engineers and curb the menace of bridge and other road collapse incidents in the state,” Chidi said.

He added that such collaboration would also provide employment opportunities for qualified civil engineers across the state.

“The collaboration, if implemented, will create job opportunities for our teeming professional members across the state,” he said.

Chidi identified the three major objectives of the visit as congratulating and identifying with the Ministry, offering professional partnership and exploring areas of collaboration that would enable the government to engage certified civil engineers while discouraging quackery.

He commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for engaging indigenous contractors in the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state since the commencement of his administration in 2022.

NICE Presents Affordable Housing Innovation

The visit also featured a technical presentation by the Secretary of NICE Awka Chapter, Engr. Collins Okoli, titled “Effect of Water–Cement Ratio and Laterite Particle Size on the Strength and Workability of Laterite–Cement Blocks.”

Okoli explained that laterite-cement blocks could provide a cheaper and sustainable alternative to conventional sandcrete blocks, potentially reducing construction costs by up to 50 percent while maintaining the required strength and durability when properly produced.

He said the adoption of the technology could support the state government’s efforts to provide affordable housing.

“Laterite-Cement Blocks offer an opportunity to reduce construction costs without compromising strength and durability. Their adoption aligns with the state’s drive for affordable and sustainable housing,” Okoli said.

Commissioner Assures NICE of Government Support

Responding, the Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Henry Arinze, commended the NICE Awka Chapter for the initiative and the quality of the technical research presented.

He expressed the Ministry’s willingness to explore areas of partnership with the institution, including the possible pilot use of laterite-cement blocks in government housing projects.

Arinze also pledged the Ministry’s support for engineering innovations capable of promoting cost efficiency, local content and sustainable housing development.

He assured the delegation that he would convey NICE’s requests and proposals to Governor Soludo for possible consideration.

In their separate goodwill remarks, former NSE Awka Branch Chairmen, Engr. Cyril Anetoh and Engr. S.I. Ofordile, pledged the continued support of the engineering community to the Ministry’s housing agenda.

The visit concluded with an on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka Branch Secretariat project.

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