The
Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has recommended a Charter Bill to
reposition the professional practice in line with the dream of its
founding fathers 48 years ago and to contribute meaningfully to the
economic development of Nigeria.
The charter bill, when finally
passed into law, would resolve the longstanding issues of non-inclusion
of Engineers in engineering matters and projects, capacity deficit and
poor image or low prestige of Nigerian Engineers.
This was part of
the deal sealed at a dinner organised by the engineering body for the
conferment of Fellowships on 20 deserving engineers in Abuja, yesterday.
In
his address, the Chairman Board of Fellows/College of Fellows of NSE,
Engr Chris Okoye called on governments and publics to extend the same
level of honour it accorded to other professions like medicine, law and
accountancy to engineering adding that the contribution of engineering
profession to national development is indisputable.
According to
him, “The effort to reposition our practice in the popular consciousness
entails a measure of introspection because the profession is anchored
on values like honesty, trust, integrity and the public good.
He
maintained that for the profession to attain a charter status, there is
need for the NSE to work closely with the National Assembly to draft the
appropriate bill and ensure its timely passage.
Okoye encouraged fellows to join the train in campaigning for the repositioning of the profession.
Also
speaking, the President of NSE, Engr Otis Anyaeji noted that the
society has the right to revoke and withdraw the fellowship certificate
of any member enmeshed in breaches known to the professional body.
“The
conferment must not be seen as an end but an opportunity to be of
greater service to NSE, supporting its projects and programmes and
lending your voice to its quest to change the face of engineering
practice.”
While reiterating the Society’s commitment in raising
the status of engineering profession in Nigeria, he noted that the board
had reviewed the guidelines for fellowship approval to give more
credibility to professional engineering accomplishments.
In his
presentation, the National President, Institute of Chartered Economists
of Nigeria, Engr Simon Irtwange, regretted that the Council for the
Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has failed to regulate both
the technical and commercial aspects of the profession which includes
remuneration of engineering firms and salaries of engineering personnel
in both public and private sector.
He envisaged that the Charter
for the Nigerian Society of Engineers would fast-track change in line
with professional development and training for the overall benefit of
the country’s techno-economic development.
He called on the board
in collaboration with the Legal Service Unit of NSE to come up with a
draft charter bill acceptable to the Nigerian engineering family and
seek for sponsorship by a distinguished member of the National Assembly.
Culled from Leadership
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