The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called for the use of quality materials and qualified professionals in project execution to meet global standards.
Saraki made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the investiture of Mr Adekunle Mokuolu as the 31st President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Represented by Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Saraki said the use of poor materials and unqualified professionals had been an obstacle to achieving stated objectives by the government.
He urged the newly inaugurated President of NSE to set an agenda to ensure standards in engineering practices and eradicate sharp practices as he assumes office.
“The stamping out of sharp practices and cutting of red tapes can go a long way to help in resolving our infrastructural challenges.
“I assure you that the 8th National Assembly stand ready and will always support the achievement of these noble goals,” he said.
He advocated for the review of the rural and urban development policies, adding that the task ahead for the newly inaugurated president of NSE was enormous.
“The lenses through which we view rural and urban development policies have to be redesigned for optimal delivery, private sector involvement, recognition and empowerment must be made more prominent and decisive.
“Adequate funding should be made available and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the development of infrastructure projects should be streamlined.
“We will also look onto you for continued and sustained collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) as well as the advisory board,” he said.
In his speech, Mokuolu said his administration would build around the theme of his investiture, “Engineering Infrastructure for Unity and Progress in Nigeria”.
He called for support from stakeholders, particularly politicians to join hands with the leadership of NSE to ensure the provision of first class public facilities in the country.
He said that the NSE under his leadership will focus on the Building and Construction Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN) in their advocacy for enforcement of standards and safety in construction sites in Nigeria, especially as their members suffer the worst fatality when accidents occur at construction sites.
“ In pursuit of our mission of eradicating quackery in the built industry and thereby eliminating cases of building collapse, we have found BACSAN a worthy partner to achieve this goal. Therefore, the Nigerian Society of Engineers will deepen the provision of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BACSAAN towards ensuring that the relevant Codes and Standards with appropriate Ethics are adhered to in construction sites.”
The Nigeria Society of Engineers was founded in 1958 and it`s the umbrella organization for the engineering profession in Nigeria.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of excellence awards to individuals and organizations by former president Olusegeun Obasanjo who graced the occasion.
