Makinde urges COREN to eliminate quackery in engineering to prevent collapses

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, charged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to expand its scope on other areas of engineering practices, eliminate quackery in the industry, and collaborate with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for certification of building materials to reduce infrastructure collapse.

Makinde made the call while inaugurating the State Technical Committee (STC) and the State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) of Engineering Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) to ensure that engineering practices in Oyo State adhere to global standards.

The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, inaugurated the committees at an event held at the Executive Chamber, Office of the Governor, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde noted that ongoing infrastructure projects in the state meet required standards, adding that engineers who notice that things are not done in accordance with engineering standards should make bold to approach the government for rectification.

The governor noted that the committees are saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing engineering regulations to ensure that all the infrastructure projects in the state are up to the required standards, noting that engineering enhances economic growth, improves infrastructure, and the quality of life for the people of the state.

He urged the committees to work tirelessly to uphold the ethics and practices of the engineering profession and to ensure that all projects in the state are executed with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.

He commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for its efforts in establishing the Engineering Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) to further promote excellence in engineering practices and ensure public safety.

Makinde said: “We are talking about poor quality of materials. We have the body called the Standards Organisation of Nigeria; what are you doing about the relationship between engineering practice and SON? There must be a collaborative arrangement in a way that even before items get to the construction site, for instance, you would have certified them and discovered their fate if they are proper for the purpose.

“On expatriate quota, you see them all around and you will continue to see them because Nigeria is so big, and the space for engineering practice is very wide, and the system is weak. People will continue to take advantage of the weak system.

“The President alluded to the fact that we have some nationals even in the bushes of Nigeria and everywhere, claiming to be engineers, architects, and surveyors. I think it is your responsibility to really apprehend them. Ask for their certificates.

“None of those people work alone; they work for some organizations in Nigeria, and you can relate to their organizations. So, the space is wide, but the system is weak. You need to take crucial steps towards ensuring that engineering practice is of global standard.

“The STC and SEMC will play a vital role in monitoring and enforcing engineering regulations, ensuring that all infrastructure projects in the state meet the required standards.

“I urge the committees to work tirelessly to uphold the ethics and practices of the engineering profession and to ensure that all projects are executed with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.

“In Oyo State, all the infrastructural projects meet the required standard. We have many ongoing engineering infrastructure projects, and I know this should not be a strange thing to you. You can engage and interrogate the contractors that we have on sites. If you observe that things are not done in accordance with engineering standards, make bold to approach the government for rectification.

“I would like to urge the committees to work tirelessly to uphold the highest standard and ethics of the engineering profession and ensure that all projects are executed with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.

“As we embark on this journey, I would like to emphasize the importance of collaboration and teamwork. The success of these committees will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including engineers, contractors, government agencies, and the private sector.

“I would like to commend COREN for its efforts in establishing the Engineering Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) programme.

“This programme is a testament to COREN’s commitment to promoting excellence in engineering practices and ensuring public safety.

“Let me at this juncture state that the governor would listen attentively to your requests and demands when I give him the report of this engagement.

“In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to all the distinguished guests, committee members, and stakeholders who have gathered here today. I am confident that together, we can achieve great things and make Oyo State a model for engineering excellence in Nigeria.”

Earlier in his welcome address, COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, stated that engineering regulation is the bedrock for development, as COREN has expanded its regulatory activities to monitor all engineering practices and materials, both imported and manufactured in the country.

Abubakar appealed to all stakeholders to support them in having a new practicing and regulatory framework in Oyo State.

In his remarks, the Registrar of the Council, Engr. Prof. Okorie Uche, said the committees are set up to assist the government and the people of the state in protecting their lives and properties and ensuring engineering standard practice through the monitoring of all engineering works in the state.

Speaking on the certification, licensing, and regulation of artisans in Nigeria under the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), a former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, said that through the programme, graduates from Nigerian institutions of learning could work anywhere in the world without doing conversion examinations for certification to practice their professions.

Members of the committees include representatives of the governor, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Oyo State Ministry of Works and Transportation, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Immigration Service, State Development Control Agency, and Local Government Service Commission, Nigerian Society of Engineers, and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, among others.

The event had in attendance a former deputy governor of Oyo State and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former deputy governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Mohammed Fadeyi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice E.O. Ajayi; Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transportation, Hon. Kehinde Olatunde; PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; and commissioners, among other dignitaries.