Standards: COREN establishes regional committees

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has established Regional Steering Committees (RSCs) to improve the monitoring and enforcement of engineering regulations at local levels.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Lagos on Tuesday at a stakeholders summit on “Restructuring and Reforms in Engineering for National Development”.
The President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, inaugurated members of the committees, stating that they would work diligently and effectively in conjunction with existing structures.
These structures, Abubakar said, would include state technical committees, the expatriate monitoring committee, and existing inspectors.
He said the new operational model, incorporating whistleblowing, engineering intelligence gathering, surveillance, an investigation panel, and a disciplinary tribunal, among others, would significantly improve the engineering landscape in Nigeria.
According to him, the committees, comprising professionals representing diverse disciplines, academia, industry, among others, have three main areas of responsibility.
He said they would ensure engineering regulations monitoring and enforcement, carried out technical and administrative oversight, stakeholders’ engagement and advocacy.
This, he said, would foster collaboration and improve how engineering would be governed, ensuring accountability and encouraging innovation in the field.
The President, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement for understanding public perception, initiating reforms, building stronger relationships, and promoting sustainable development.
She said the timing of the committee’s inauguration was excellent, and the fact that it was led by a former COREN president, demonstrated the association’s commitment to its success.
She expressed confidence that the move would improve regulatory capacity and significantly advance the engineering profession in Nigeria.
Oguntala noted that engineering regulation was crucial for ensuring that the work met global best practices and contributed to national development.
She hoped that the committee would play a vital role in protecting the profession’s integrity, promoting adherence to standards, and fostering a culture of excellence.
She highlighted the importance of capacity building for sustaining their mission, noting that continuous learning and professional growth were essential for navigating challenges and embracing innovation.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged engineers to take advantage of opportunities created by the council’s reforms and expanded regulations.
He emphasised the vital role engineers played in nation-building, reminding them that their innovations and solutions to critical challenges had the power to transform lives and shape Nigeria’s future.
He commended COREN’s leadership and vision in restructuring and modernising the engineering sector, acknowledging their commitment to excellence.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, assured the council of the state’s continued support and collaboration in achieving shared goals.
Earlier, the Chairman, Lagos steering committee, Mr Ibikunle Ogunbayo, said the committee would collaborate with the state government to ensure that residents claiming to be engineering professionals were properly registered with COREN.
This registration process, he said, would involve identifying individuals, documenting their experience and skills, and recommending professional development opportunities if skill gaps were identified.
Ogunbayo also said the committee would address the issue of employers underpaying or mistreating engineering personnel.
He advocated fair treatment and compensation for engineering personnel, saying it was necessary for employers to properly value their engineering staff to get the best results.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
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