Senate tasks COREN on professionals for building construction

NIESV decorates Akeredolu as patron, says he has made Ondo investors-friendly

Following the death of over 44 Nigerians in the 21-storey building that collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos, last week, the Senate has challenged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to ensure that only competent and qualified professionals are involved in building construction.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks following a point of order raised by Oluremi Tinubu (APC-Lagos) during plenary, said all professional bodies, such as civil engineers, structural engineers, their bodies, their institute and COREN must ensure that only certified, competent and qualified professionals are involved in putting up structures.

Lawan, who also commiserated with the people of Lagos State and particularly the family of those who lost their lives or were affected in one way or the other, directed the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the state government to provide necessary assistance to survivors.

He, thereafter, moved that a minute silence be observed in honour of the deceased.

Earlier, while moving the motion, Tinubu described the incident as “a disaster of epic proportion, the magnitude of which cannot be overlooked.”

MEANWHILE, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has decorated Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), as patron of the professional body.

President and Chairman of the Council, Emmanuel Okas Wike, decorated the governor at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Wike said that the council and the entire members of the body approved the decoration of the governor as its patron in recognition of his giant developmental strides aimed at taking the state to the next level.

He noted that Akeredolu had made the state an investment destination and stressed that the efforts of the governor at combating the security challenges facing the state are commendable.

Akeredolu, in his response, said his administration had made the state more accessible in a secured way, adding that there are three airways flying different routes from Akure, Lagos and Abuja.

He appreciated the professional body and gave the assurance that he would not disappoint the people.