IN line with his manifesto on infrastructure, agricultural mechanisation and overall technological emancipation of the state, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Oyo State, comprising Ibadan branch, Ogbomoso branch, Oluyole and Oyo branch, has suggested ideas for the state governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, towards the roadmap for sustainable infrastructural development of the state.
In its submission presented to the governor-elect when members of the society paid him a congratulatory visit at his residence in Ibadan on Monday, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the Nigerian Society of Engineers drew the attention of Makinde to the existing COREM ERM in the regulation and monitoring of engineering projects and practice in the state.
“We strongly commend the adoption of this current framework driven by the Nigerian Society of Engineers and COREN, to Your Excellency, particularly, in order to stem the spate of building collapses and enhance the quality of infrastructure project delivery in the state.”
The NSE also drew the attention of the governor-elect to the Presidential Order V, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, in February 2018 which gave effect to the enhancement of local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology innovation, towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy.
“It mandates all procuring authorities, MDAs of government to give preference to Nigerian companies, firms and indigenous professionals in the planning, design, and execution of projects, and in the award of contracts in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.”
The body of professional engineers further said that:” In our view, engineering-based ministries, departments, and agencies of government indeed form the engine room of rapid socio-economic development of the state. For the best results, therefore, we request Your Excellency to position engineers with appropriate and experience to drive these MDAs.”
By Nurudeen Alimi
The only thing this governor can do for him to standout is for him to use the Ingeniers in his state to break or structure capital projects, formerly done by foreign contractors, into forms that would not require those heart-rendering exotic machines for people of the state to do without the need to award them as contracts.
This way, the state will generate jobs and prudently manage the meagre allocation from Aso Rocks oil money.
You cant do thesame thing with other people and expect to get a different result from them.