The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), on Friday, lamented the rot at the multimillion naira federal government’s Digital Bridge Institute in Enugu State and urged for collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC) to manage and put the facility to use.

The communications technology hub located at Ugwuogo -Nike road, in Enugu state was completed over 10 years ago but has never been used.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society, Enugu branch chairman, Chigbo Obealor, stated that collaborating with the NCC on the facility would help realize the vision of the centre.

He said: “The multi-million naira facility is rotting away since its complection along Enugu – Nike – Ugwogo Road.  We hereby convey our interest in ensuring that the facility is put to use for ICT-Youth Training and Manpower Development of the state.”

Obealor, also appealed to the Enugu state government to provide an Advanced Engineering Workshop (AEW), for the state-owned Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, saying It would assist in the realisation of the state government’s Smart Schools initiative and form a research platform for graduates of the Smart Schools.

“This request is in good faith and will bring to a realistic end the vision of the Smart School of the Enugu State Government. The AEW is the foundation of research and development in any civilised country.  It will also form the research platforms for the future graduates of the Smart School programme of the Enugu State Government,” he added.

Obealor emphasised the need for members of the Society to be carried along in government activities to enable them to offer professional advice to aid the society.

Resource persons who spoke on theme of the AGM, titled, “The Enforcement of Engineering Standards and Codes for Sustainable Development,” urged governments to collaborate with COREN and NSE to ensure quality engineering services.

“There is a need for COREN, NSE, and Government to come together to cooperate to be able to control engineering Standards,” they said.

Meanwhile, the Society used to occasion to elect Engineer P. I.C Chukwunta as elected chairman to take over from Obealor, among others.

Merit awards were presented to deserving members while 13 people were inducted into the Society.