The Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), have pledged to eliminate corruption and other vices ranging from contract inflation and over designing in the execution of engineering projects.
Mrs Aishatu Umar, National Chairman of NICE made the this known she led a delegation of the National Executive on a courtesy visit to the President of COREN Mr Ali Rabiu.
Umar said that corruption in the Civil Engineering projects had remained a major challenge to the practicing civil engineers in Nigeria.
She said that getting jobs in Nigeria in spite of evidence of competence had become a herculean task.
The chairperson of NICE urged COREN to take advantage of its MOU with the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related Offences Commission to take aggressive action on corruption in the Civil Engineering Projects to sustain quality project delivery.
She said quackery was also another area that the institute was desirous of cooperation with COREN.
Umar also expressed worry over the fact that the job of Nigerian Civil Engineers had been high jacked by politicians and people who have nothing to do with the profession resulting in building collapses and other infrastructure in Nigeria.
She, therefore, appealed to COREN to aggressively fight against quackery in civil engineering domain in Nigeria as it would create jobs for the teaming population of civil engineers in Nigeria.
Other areas they sought partnership with COREN was Engineering Regulation Monitoring.
She appealed to the president to strengthen and properly fund the Engineering Regulation Monitoring programme of COREN in order to effectively checkmate those who had invaded the engineering profession especially in the civil engineering profession.
The National Chairman expressed joy over the released official Gazette no 51, volume 105 concerning COREN Regulation on the Construction Industry through an Executive Order endorsed by the President Muhammadu Buhari with the following highlights.
”Designs of all major engineering works are to be carried out in Nigeria; all contracts up to N2.5B are to be reserved exclusively for Nigerian Engineering Firms.
”Copies of all stamped working drawings are to be kept on site for inspection purposes; all major engineering contracts shall have a training component for training of engineering personnel.
”All drawings for the works shall be duly cross checked and endorsed by duly registered engineer.
”Regulation Compliance Committee – Division of COREN to be established to ensure compliance with Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) laws, local content laws, among others,’’ she said.
She urged COREN to aggressively drive toward the implementation of the gazette.
The delegation thanked the President of COREN for receiving them and pledged to give him the necessary support to enable him succeed in his tenure.
She invited Rabiu to the 17th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineering (NICE).
The event is scheduled to take place at the Multipurpose Hall Government House Maiduguri Borno State, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 as the Special Guest of Honour.
Responding, Rabiu, said he was honoured and delighted to have his own institute visit him and thanked them for their support.
He assured the delegation that he would critically look at all their proposals and collaborate with the institute where necessary.
