The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has approved a nationwide compliance audit of ministries, departments and agencies to assess the implementation of the enhanced entry-point policy for engineers in the public service.

The council also approved renewed engagement with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on implementing the policy. The decisions were reached at the COREN’s 190th Ordinary Council Meeting in Abuja.

COREN’s CEO, Okorie Uche, said this on Thursday, adding that the council remains committed to strengthening engineering regulation in line with its statutory mandate.

Mr Uche said the council approved stronger compliance and enforcement measures to improve engineering regulation, professional standards, technical skills, and public safety. He said the measures were designed to ensure that engineering practitioners and firms operated in accordance with established regulatory requirements.

“As part of efforts to deepen regulation and improve service delivery, Council approved the registration of 2,001 engineering practitioners,” he said.

He explained that the practitioners comprised 1,410 engineers, 227 engineering technologists, 15 engineering technicians, 334 engineering artisans and 15 expatriate practitioners. According to him, the council also approved the registration of 33 engineering firms across various areas of engineering practice.

Mr Uche said the council approved the full accreditation of some firms under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Certification Scheme being implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme.

He said the initiative aimed to strengthen professional capacity and promote standards in renewable energy and energy efficiency practices.

Mr Uche further disclosed that the council considered certification examination results from seven training centres involving 478 candidates, out of whom 177 passed.

He added that the council subsequently directed the adoption of the COREN/NESP-approved Solar Photovoltaic Installation Training Curriculum at Enerplaz Paygo Solutions, Port Harcourt.

Mr Uche said that in response to recurring engineering failures and building collapses, the council approved strategies to strengthen COREN’s regulatory intervention and enforcement activities. He said the measures would enable the council to respond more effectively to breaches of engineering standards and practices that could endanger lives and property.

The COREN chief disclosed that the council also approved a structured competency development programme for Engineering Regulation Inspection Officers.

He added that the council approved a comprehensive regulatory strategy, including a nationwide public awareness campaign and an integrated digital compliance and verification platform. According to him, other measures included mandatory COREN compliance for engineering procurement and approvals as well as stronger Engineering Compliance Inspectorate Units.

He said the council would also enhance collaboration with relevant government agencies and enforce stricter compliance with annual practising licence requirements.

Mr Uche added that COREN approved establishing a National Engineering Practice Database to strengthen monitoring, verification, and regulation of engineering activities nationwide.

He said that to advance technical skills and improve regulation, the council approved automating registration processes for engineering artisans and Skills Training Centres on the COREN Portal.

Mr Uche said COREN also approved measures to strengthen the recognition and regulation of engineering craftsmen nationwide. He disclosed that the council directed collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education towards developing National Occupational Standards for several technical occupations.

According to him, the occupations include bicycle mechanics, GSM phone repairs, satellite installation, tractor operation and maintenance, motor body building and transmission repairs.

Mr Uche said that in engineering education, the council approved the implementation of the National Engineering Admission Quota and Carrying Capacity Enforcement Framework. He explained that the framework was intended to promote quality assurance and ensure that engineering programmes in Nigerian universities operate within approved standards and capacities.

(NAN)