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By Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has called on the Federal to prioritize indigenous engineers and companies in the execution of government projects and infrastructure.
The appeal was made by the Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof. Okirie Austin Uche, at the 8th Engineer Ibrahim Khaleel Annual Memorial Lecture held at Bayero University, Kano.
The event was organized by the Kabuga Branch of the NSE.
Prof. Uche also urged the National Assembly to enact legislation that would back the executive to prioritize the engagement of local engineers in government businesses.
“Policy makers are encouraged to support local engineering practitioner. We are asking our politicians in the National Assembly who make policies, and the executive who execute them, to look homeward and use what we have to achieve our goals.”
“We are asking for more windows to display our talents and competence. The expatriates operating in Nigeria are only here for what they will get. The people who are really doing the engineering jobs are the indigenous engineers — your brothers and sisters who studied engineering and work as engineers.”
“Go to any of these construction companies or design firms and check out for those doing the actual work. They are Nigerian engineering practitioners — engineers, technologists, and technicians,” he stated.
“Our indigenous engineers are good if not better, but you need to challenge them to do the work. Yet our politicians prefer to deal with and engage expatriates,” he added.
“Our engineers can build enduring infrastructure. We can do what the government thinks we cannot do. What the so-called expatriates are doing is nothing but portfolio engineering. Nigerian engineers are dedicated and committed because this is our country.
“Whatever we design or construct is for our country. We are the ones who will live with it, so we will take particular interest to give it the best.” he stated.
The event also featured keynote lectures, the induction of new corporate members, and a Young Engineers Innovation Competition.
