President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said its 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly is to address the incessant engineering infrastructure failure in Nigeria

Mr Abubakar made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the 32nd COREN Engineering Assembly scheduled to hold on August 5 to August 7 in Abuja.

He said that the assembly with the theme, “Regulating engineering profession for shared prosperity in Nigeria “would have President Bola Tinubu, as  the Special Guest of Honour.

He said COREN created new departments and united as part of efforts to decentralise its operations, ensure effective engagement at the grass-roots and promote sanity in the practice of engineering for a more positive impact in Nigeria.

He stated, “Attendance at the assembly is compulsory for all registered engineering practitioners and a requirement for the renewal of practising licence for both individual and firms to minimise quackery responsible for the incessant engineering infrastructure failures. In response to the call on COREN to rise to the occasion to check the incessant failures of engineering infrastructure, especially building collapse across the country.

“The Minister of Works and the Chief Host of the COREN event, David Umahi, will inaugurate the National Technical Committee to drive the Engineering Regulations Monitoring at national level similar to the existing practice at regional and state levels. The ERME inspectors are to be supported by the Engineering Intelligence and Surveillance Task Force and EIS whistleblowers operating at national, regional and state levels.’’.

Mr Abubakar said that the ongoing COREN restructuring, and reforms were in line with the road map endorsed at the 31st Engineering Assembly held in 2023 for more effective and efficient operations.

He added that the improvement was also expected to advance, foster and strengthen existing partnerships and collaborations.

He said that to support these noble changes, Engineers Registration among others and Amendment Act No. 3, 2018 have been harmonised into a single document for easy reference and citation.

Mr Abubakar said that eight new regulations were approved and gazetted, which brought the number to over 30.

He said, “These are veritable instruments that facilitate effective monitoring, enforcement, sanction and prosecution of quacks, offenders, among others.’’

Mr Abubakar said the assembly would also have a session to guide Nigeria to prepare its submission and application for admission into Sydney and Dublin Accords for engineering technologists, technicians, craftsmen and artisans, respectively.

He said these associations would aid Nigerian practitioners to be recognised globally and they would be able export their skills internationally.

He stated, “This is similar to the historic admission of Nigeria into the Washington Accord in 2023 at Taiwan. Engineering professional associations, universities, polytechnics, technical colleges, NSC, NUC, NBTE, ITF, among others will participate in line with their mandate and assigned roles. This is to ensure Nigeria once again join the League of Nations in these engineering global bodies under IEA.’’

Mr Abubakar said that COREN was ever ready to improve its performance in regulating engineering education and training of practitioners.

He said this was to ensure that their practices were in line with the global standards to safeguard lives and property and ensure the prevention of the failures of engineering infrastructure.

He, however, said that the council needed funding to be able to carry out its regulatory mandate.

“Thus, the council is appealing to the Federal Government to continue to fund COREN similar to its peers in the health sector. It is our hope and prayer that the government would reconsider its position to return the council into funding regime for the benefit of the citizenry and the nation.’’

 (NAN)