The new chairman of the Awka branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers ( NSE ) Engr. Odinaka Victor Okonkwo has said that the society is employing all avenues to end contract execution with foreign enginners.
He also extolled the thoughtfulness of Governor Willie Obiano in appointing more engineers into his government.
Speaking at an award ceremony and spouses’ night of the branch at Jesse hotel Awka tagged ‘Healthy Engineers Create Healthy Relationship’, Okonkwo said that apart from the several appointments given to engineers, the governor has a very cordial relationship with the Awka branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers.
He said part of his work plan as the new chairman of the Awka branch of NSE would be to beef up engineering project monitoring in Awka, the state capital as part of their social responsibility scheme in order to maintain standards.
Okonkwo assured that the branch would carry out capacity building programmes to boost the professional competence of member engineers to mitigate instances of quackery; noting that failed engineering projects were products of allowing non-engineers to perform the job of professionals.
He thanked the governor for providing a utility vehicle for the Awka branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, saying that engineers and the governor have a good understanding even as he also disclosed that Awka NSE has acquired a piece of land at Nawfia Njikoka local government area, where it plans to build an engineering centre.
Also the lawmaker representing Nnewi-North, South and Ekwusigo federal constituency at the national assembly Hon. Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu stressed the need for engineering and technology to be accorded utmost priority in the country especially as it relates to policy formation and implementation.
Azubogu emphasized that the capacity of Nigerian engineers should be developed to enable them get involved from the point of conceptualisation, planning, design and implementation of policies and programmes regarding infrastructural development of the country.
The federal lawmaker who received an award for his sterling contributions to the engineering profession, said it was of paramount importance that Nigerian engineers should be challenged through local patronage to enhance the profession.
Engr Martin Onyedikachukwu Agbili, the immediate past chairman of the Awka branch of Nigeria Society of Engineers and Director of the Anambra State Fire Service, said that the engineering profession has been a long lasting one.
He said the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for Regulation of Engineering Practice in Nigeria ( COREN ) intend to put an end to a situation where by foreign engineers undertake jobs in Nigeria that indigenous engineers should have executed.
He said COREN was working assiduously through viable policies to ensure that local engineers were patronised to give teeth to the engineering profession in Nigeria.
The Vice Chairman of the Society, Awka branch, Engr. Fimber, in his brief closing remark, commend the state Governor, Willie Obiano for providing a conducive environment for NSE members to thrive.