The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has announced proactive measures to enhance the capacity of its members and ensure engineering practices in the country meet global standards.
COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday during a capacity-building programme and training for Engineering Regulation Monitoring and Enforcement and State Technical Committees Teams in Abuja.
Abubakar reaffirmed the council’s mandate to regulate the engineering profession to safeguard public welfare. He stressed that the collapse of critical infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and bridges, is often linked to poor regulation and underutilisation of engineers.
“We have updated the COREN Act and our regulations to align with the best global practices. It is, therefore, necessary for us to train our inspectors regularly,” he said.
The COREN president highlighted the need for effective synergy between the government and private sector to prevent infrastructure failures.
“Building collapses, the failure of roads and bridges, and other issues are consequences of inadequate regulation and lack of engagement of engineers in critical sectors,” Abubakar added.
He noted that engineers are underutilised by governments, which contributes to gaps in regulatory oversight in many economic sectors.
“To address these challenges, COREN is working with other regulators to improve engineering oversight and compliance nationwide,” he said.
Kam-Selem Bukar, Chairman of the ERM&E Committee, explained that the council is shifting focus towards regulatory enforcement and compliance, with efforts expanded to 11 additional sectors of the economy.
“The state technical committee, regional steering committee, and national technical committee must work in alignment to achieve effective regulation, monitoring, and compliance,” Bukar said.
He emphasised that ensuring compliance is critical for reducing systemic infractions and preventing infrastructure failures.
Keynote speaker Kasim Ali, represented by Deputy President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, underscored the importance of engineering regulation in safeguarding public welfare. He noted that monitoring and enforcement could significantly improve standards, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance safety across sectors.
“By prioritising local expertise and reducing reliance on foreign professionals, the nation can strengthen its engineering industry and achieve its long-term development goals,” Ali said.
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Margaret Oguntala, lauded the training programme, describing it as a step toward continuous professional development. She called on COREN to tie Continuing Professional Development to the renewal of practising licences to ensure engineers stay updated on emerging technologies and their applications.
(NAN)
SOURCE: PUNCH
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