Nigeria President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called on the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, to adhere to the codes and standard guiding the profession.
President of he 10th Senate made this call in Enugu during the 60th anniversary of NSE Enugu State chapter, with a theme; “the enforcement of Engineering materials standard and codes for sustainable development” the role of the state government and it’s agencies.
Akpabio represented by Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede confidently raised hope on Engineering codes and standard, saying, “our physical space in the country, our infrastructural investment and investment will be in a better state and frame with the observant of Engineering codes and standard.
He lamented the unfortunate failure of roads, dams and collapses of buildings across the country blaming it on substandard of building materials and inadequate knowledge of the person utilising the materials.
“Codes and standard are to the work practice direction, procedures and roles to lawyers in dispensation of duties to their clients. You know that at all times a lawyer is a minister in the temple of Justice and it’s to justice that first gives life even before the specific need of his client.
“A lawyer cannot be involve in dishonesty practices or unethical means to assist his client. To do so is to risk disbarment With this background and to my understanding of the role of Engineers to the society. I can confidently come to conclusions that our physical space in the country, our infrastructural investment and investment will be in a better state and frame with the observant of Engineering codes and standard.
“In a developing country like Nigeria, the importance of Engineering codes can not be overstated. Codes serves as a foundation upon which our infrastructure is built, providing guidelines for design, construction and maintenance.
“They’re the safe guard to protect our citizens, economy and environment. Our country will suffer few outages, our dam will not burst, roads will not fail and our houses will not collapse if codes and standard are properly observed. We are all witness to the unfortunate failure and collapses in the country, Onitsha, Abuja, Awka Lagos, Enugu and even in Jos. It’s a pity.
“Many of these failure and collapses are equitable to the substandard of building materials but also equitable to the inadequate knowledge of the person utilising the materials. The failure of road pavement may not be as vivid and dramatic as that of houses and there is no feterlity that can be immediately and directly attributed to such failure.but they are no less catastrophic to the economy well bring to the lives of the people and of the nation,” he said.
He enjoined the state government to enforce the engineering code and standard, urging them to use professionals in the field to carry out the duty.
“Upon this the state government have grate responsibility on this regard for the enforcement of these codes and standard but like a legal profession which enforces discipline at adherence of his own practice directives through the disciplinary committee of Nigeria bar association.
“Enforcement of Engineering codes and standard in the building and engineering sector must also be related to and carried out to professionals in that profession. So while the various state agencies perform their duty in ensuring that the standard of materials attain the specific standard,” he said.
Earlier, the Enugu state chairman of NSE, Engr.Chigbo Chukwuemeka Obealor disclosed that NSE is a professional body committed towards collaborating with, influencing and providing quality advice to the various arms of government, industry, commerce, academia and the society for the purpose of uplifting the country technologically through research and innovations.
Obealor, appealed to the Enugu State government to consider the provision of an Advanced Engineering in the state, noting that engineers are trained as professionals to solve various engineering challenges in time and space.
He acknowledged the labours of their pioneer leaders who laid the sold foundation of NSE Enugu branch and all those who continued from it with the uncommon zeal and relentless pursuit of excellence in the engineering profession.
He however made a passionate appeal for assistance to their leaders for a Land to develop Branch Engineering Centre, provision of 14 seat Commuter Bus, provision of Drones for enhanced security project and One off scholarship programme for indigent students as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
“We want to seize this opportunity to call on the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigerian Communication Commission on the abandoned Enugu Centre Digital Bridge Institute, which was completed about 10 years ago, and was never put into use by the government.
“The multibillion facilibes at the digital bridge institute are wasting along Enugu Nike Ugwogo road. We hereby convey our interest to effectively manage the Digital Bridge Institute for the training and manpower development. This request is in good faith and to bring to realistic end, the vision of the institute,” he appealed.
The National President of NSE, Engr. Aina Margaret Oguntala commended the Enugu State branch for their contribution to the National body, adding that the successive leadership of Enugu branch has done well and today’s event is building on the already achievement of previous leaders.
Oguntala represented by Engr. Edith Ishidi charged NSE, Enugu branch to continue to build Dr ⁴² on a standard and sustainability development to ensure a thriving innovation in Nigeria, appealing with the Legislature to make law that would create enabling environment for engineers to continue building the nation that would never fail.
Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah represented by the state Commissioner for works. Engr. Gerald Otiji, called on the NSE to checkmate and ensure members embark on standard work to tackle failure of roads and building collapses.
He disclosed that Enugu State government is not leaving any stone unturned to make sure that no substandard work is being done in the state.
In a Goodwill message, the assistant Technical secretary of the branch and the planning committee chairman of the 60th anniversary, Engr. Chijioke Onyike called for a renewed commitment to Excellency, innovation and collaboration for a better future.
“As we reflect on the past 60 years to achievements and look ahead to the future, let us renew our commitment to excellency innovation and collaboration.
“Together we can continue to make significant contributions to the Nigerian Society of Engineers and also inspire the engineers of tomorrow Once again thank you all for being a part of this joyous occasions. Your presence has made this celebration truly unforgettable,” he said.
The highlight of the event was presentation of Diamond award of excellence to some dignitaries.
