The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, has called on engineers in the building sector to be proactive and ensure standard operations.

A spokeswoman for the ministry Odutayo Oluseyi disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

The minister spoke against the backdrop of a recent building collapse during a visit by the Deputy President/President-elect of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Gidari Wudil.

Mr Aliyu, while congratulating the NSE president-elect, reminded him of the enormous responsibility bestowed on him.

He said the government was making investments in the area of infrastructure which engineers are critical stakeholders.

“The huge investment in the area of infrastructure of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is commendable,” said Mr Aliyu.

He advised him to ensure the application of professionalism through proper procedures and specifications.

The minister urged Mr Wudil to synergise with the government to curb further calamities occasioned by infrastructural defects.

Responding, Mr Wudil assured the minister that the NSE under his watch would be proactive and up and doing.

He further explained that the society would work closely with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other bodies to ensure the application of professionalism due to the strategic nature of the engineering profession.

The chairman of the investiture committee of the NSE, Olu Ogunduyile, said the visit was to formally inform the minister of the investiture of Mr Wudil, scheduled to hold on January 22, 2022.

He further noted that the administration of Mr Wudil would focus on the academia-industry relationship, which is aimed at collaboration between the academia and industry players.

“It is also to bridge the gap between engineering technologists and technicians, reviving technical education, aimed at boosting the Economic Growth and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation, among other things,” Mr Ogunduyile said.

(NAN)