By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has taken some innovative steps in partnership with relevant stakeholders to standardise the practice of engineering as well as check infrastructure failure, particularly the incessant cases of building collapse in the country.
COREN President Prof. Sadiq Abubakar made this known Wednesday while briefing the media on the forthcoming 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly slated for 5th to 7th August, 2024 in Abuja.
COREN Engineering Assembly is an annual event designed to provide a forum for engineering practitioners and other stakeholders to look into and address emerging issues for professional development.
The COREN boss disclosed that in response to the call on the council to rise to the occasion to check the incessant failures of engineering infrastructure, especially building collapse across the country, the Minister of Works and Chief Host of the event, Engr David Umahi, will soon be inaugurating National Technical Committee (NTC) at national level to drive the Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) wing similar to the existing practice at the regional and state levels.
“The ERME inspectors are to be supported by Engineering Intelligence and Surveillance, EIS, Taskforce and EIS Whistle Blowers operating at national, regional, and state levels,” he added.
Engr Abubakar also hinted that in line with the aspiration of COREN to meet the global standards of Sydney Accord (SA) and Dublin Accord (DA) under the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and COREN agreed to commence accreditation of Technical Colleges in Nigeria this coming academic session.
Recall that COREN led Nigeria to join Washington Accord (WA) under the IEA in 2023 becoming the 24th African country after South Africa.
The COREN President said in order to consolidate on this achievement, the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) and COREN had agreed to commence joint accreditation of Engineering programmes in universities similar the existing practice between NBTE and COREN for the Polytechnics and Mono-technics.
Engr Abubakar explained that the Washington Accord empowers certified Nigerian engineers to work anywhere in the world now just as the Sydney and Dublin Accords will come to increase the mobility of engineering technicians, technologists, and craftsmen beyond the shores of the country.
He further revealed that the council was resuscitating the Supervised Industri Training Scheme in Engineering, SITSIE, under a new name of Engineering Residency Programme (EREP) and planned to ‘engage the National Assembly to seek legislative backing for its funding by the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, in line with the existing law.
“This is a one year post graduation training programme for all engineering graduates of an accredited university or polytechnic, designed to meet practical experience requirements for the purpose of registration with COREN as a professional engineer or an engineering technologist similar to the practices of Medical, Pharmaceutical, etc professions.
“Relevant organizations like NUC, NBTE, MAN, NSE, NATE, etc were contacted and all expressed their readiness to participate and support the laudable initiative,” he said.
Speaking to other initiatives being worked on, the COREN boss said, “In the same vein, COREN being a member of National Skill Council (NSC), was charged to drive the Sector Skill Council for Engineering (SSC4E).
“Arrangement had reached advanced stage with NBTE and other , relevant organisations for the inauguration of the SSC4E.
“This heralded the commencement of the processes of training, certification and licensing of Artisans in the engineering sector in Nigeria. COREN is the Awarding body, NBTE is the Regulatory body while Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) will chair the Council, SSC4E, comprising nominees representing various interest groups.
He said the on-going COREN restructuring, and reforms is in line with the roadmap endorsed at the 31st Engineering Assembly held in 2023 for more effective, efficient operations, expressing optimistic that the improvement would advance, foster and strengthen existing partnerships and collaborations.
“Expanding the regulatory activities of COREN to cover the sectors of Oil & Gas, Power, Mining, Communication, Construction, Maritime, Aviation and Aerospace, Agro-Allied, Manufacturing and Transportation seeks to achieve this goal for shared prosperity,” he said.
COREN, by virtue of the Engineers (Registration, etc.) (Amendment) Act No. 2018, serves as the statutory body of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the mandate to regulate and control the engineering education, training, and practice of engineering in all its aspects and ramifications.
