The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ibeju-Lekki Branch, Lagos  State, is planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with African Foundries Ltd. (AFL) to strengthen collaboration in capacity building of its members.

 The MoU is also aimed at promoting quality engineering practices.

The Chairman of the branch, Olufemi Dare, stated this during an industrial visit by members of the branch to the steel manufacturing company in Lagos  on Friday evening.

Mr Dare said the proposed partnership would deepen the relationship between both organisations while providing engineers with greater exposure to industrial operations, innovation and modern manufacturing processes.

“The main objective of this visit is to expose our members to industrial operations and innovations.

“NSE Ibeju-Lekki branch has more than 1,000 members, both registered and graduate engineers. The idea is for continuous development of our engineers so that they can be exposed to industrial operations and innovations,” Mr Dare said.

According to him,  exposure is part of engineering education.

“The scale of operations here is enormous. They are into production of reinforcement bars and several other products. This is the type of company we can truly partner with,” he said.

According to Mr Dare, the branch intends to formalise the relationship through an MoU that will encourage collaboration in training, industrial exposure and knowledge sharing.

The Group Marketing Director of African Industries Group, Rohit Lamba, said the company was committed to producing world-class construction materials that would promote safer buildings.

Mr Lamba said the company’s Tiger TMT reinforcement bars continued to gain acceptance in the Nigerian market because of their quality and reliability.

He said that cases of building collapse in some parts of the country had increased awareness on the need to use certified reinforcement materials in construction.

“We seek a meaningful strategic partnership with the NSE to help  to promote the use of quality reinforcement bars to a wider audience.

“Professional bodies such as the NSE can play an important role in creating awareness among engineers, builders and developers,” he said.

Mr Lamba also showcased the group’s aluminium roofing products under the Tower Aluminium brand, urging Nigerians to patronise locally-manufactured building materials.

According to him, locally-produced roofing sheets offer guaranteed quality, warranty and reliable after-sales support.

He invited members of the NSE to visit the company’s aluminium roofing and coil manufacturing plant at Ota, Ogun State.

The engineers were taken on a guided tour of the steel manufacturing plant, where they observed the production processes and gained firsthand knowledge of the company’s operations.

African Foundries Ltd. is a subsidiary of African Industries Group. 

(NAN)