By Thompson ABISOLA
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, has called on the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and its regulatory arm to uphold professionalism in service delivery to retain public trust.
Akinsanya, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Olujimi Hotonu, said this while delivering a lecture during the Investiture of Mrs Funmi Akingbagbohun as the 13th chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NSE, in Lagos.
Akinsanya said that engineering was evolving and played special social roles in the society, hence the need for professionalism.
“Professionalism is the lubricant for progress,’’ he said.
The commissioner called on the Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) as regulator to ensure compliance to ethical standards.
Akinsanya urged engineers to continue developing their capacity to enhance their performance in service delivery to the nation, in order to maintain the trust reposed in them by the public.
“The rights and privileges granted to engineers depend upon the maintenance of professionalism. It is the responsibility of all engineers to uphold the high standards of professional and ethical behavior for service delivery to the public.
He added that engineers were held in high esteem and they must uphold professional values in order not to breach public trust.
“Engineers possess specialised knowledge which they must maintain and expand throughout their careers,’’ Akinsanya said.
He commended the Ikeja branch whom he noted had performed “creditably well’’ in various dimensions.
Meanwhile, the President of the NSE, Mr Adekunle Mokuolu, in his speech, urged members of the society to attend the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in Abuja which was targeted at revolutionising the NSE.
“The conference would allow those in the infrastructure value chain to showcase products and competencies,’’ he said.
He said that the Ikeja branch of the society has always been known for excellence, which must be maintained.
Mokuolu urged the new chairman to continue on the path of excellence, promote teamwork and capacity building, as well as build on the legacies of his predecessors.
Akingbagbohun pledged capacity building and various revolutionary programmes for the branch.
She promised to increase public and private sector involvement in the activities of the branch and give prominence to youth engineering development and other key sectors.
The newly-elected chairman, who also doubled as a co-master of ceremony, presented awards to various deserving members, as well as the traditional ruler of Aiyepe-Ijebu, Ogun State, His Royal Highness Adebisi Okubanjo.
