Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, inaugurated the State Technical Committee (STC) and the State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) of Engineering Regulations, Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E).
The two committees, as stated in a release by the Special Assistant to the Governor (Media), Dr Olanrewaju Sulaimon, were inaugurated to ensure that engineering practices in the state adhere to global standards.
Governor Makinde noted that ongoing infrastructure projects in the state meet required standard, adding that engineers who noticed that things were not done in accordance with engineering standards should approach the government for rectification.
Governor Makinde, represented by his deputy, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, stated this on Monday after inaugurating the committees at an event held at the Governor’s Office.
He said the committees have the responsibilities of monitoring and enforcing engineering regulations to ensure that all the infrastructure projects in the state are up to the required standards.
The governor noted that engineering enhances economic growth, improve infrastructure and 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 ensure that all projects in the state were executed with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
Makinde 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 equally charged the body 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.
“We are talking about poor quality of materials. We have the body called Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). 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 discover 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 organisations in Nigeria and you can relate to their organisations.
“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 make the required standard. We have many ongoing engineering infrastructure 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 engineering profession and ensure that all projects are executed in the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
“As we embark on this journey, I would like to emphasise 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 Governor Makinde 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,” the deputy governor stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, COREN President, Engineer Professor Sadiq Abubakar, affirmed that engineering regulation is the bedrock for development.
According to him, COREN has expanded its regulatory activities to monitor all engineering practices and materials both imported and manufactured in the country.
He appealed to all stakeholders to support them to have a new practising and regulatory framework in Oyo State.
In his remarks, Registrar of the Council, Engineer Professor Okorie Uche, said the committees were set up to assist the government and the people of the state to protect their lives and properties and ensure engineering standard practice through monitoring of all engineering works in the state.
A former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore CON, spoke on certification, licensing and regulation of artisans in Nigeria under the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
He stated that, through the programme, graduates from institutions of higher learning can work anywhere in the world without doing conversion examinations for certification to practice their professions.
Members of the committees included representatives of the governor, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the state Ministry of Works and Transportation, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Immigration Service, State Development Control Agency and Local Government Service Commission, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and COREN, among others.
