By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of Works Sen. Nweze David Umahi has promised a robust engagement with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on the development of engineering practice in the country.
According to a statement signed by the director, Information, Federal Ministry of Works. Olusola Abiola, the Minister gave his word while playing host to the leadership of COREN, led on a courtesy call to his office in Abuja by the President and Chairman of Council, Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubaker.
“It is our intention to work with COREN and all other engineering affiliates, we will like to work with you as we have so far carried you along very well incorporating you into a number of our committees and you have responded positively,” said Senator Umahi.
In the company of the to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata, the Minister while speaking to the delegation stressed the importance of partnering with the engineering body, noting that it has become expedient for COREN and other stakeholders to work for the development of the profession, especially in upholding professional ethics and excellence.
“I do believe strongly that the engineering body should do more; there is supposed to be action where professional ethics are breached.”
“There should be punitive action that will help in promoting professional ethics and ultimately leading to promoting engineering service as in the case of other professions like Law.
“If the engineering bodies should do their work of ensuring the discipline of our profession, then we can get a better practice, a better society.
“The people you fail to supervise today are going to be the ones to build the bridges we will use tomorrow; that is the danger if we don’t do our own part to ensure that the professional ethics are enforced, ” the Minister submitted.
Speaking earlier, COREN President Prof. Abubaker expressed delight on how the Minister has in the last few months changed the narrative in the critical infrastructure sector of the economy, assuring of continued partnership with the ministry in the interest of engineering practice development in the country.
In the delegation of COREN were the Registrar of COREN, Prof. Adisa Bello; the Head of Finance and Accounts, Lawan Mariri. Others were Engr Ahmed Kutigi, and Engr Teah Andrew Onyilo.