By Perpetua Onuegbu
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has called for patronage of indigenous engineering firms for accelerated infrastructural development and nation’s economic growth.
Zulum made call at the 31st Engineering Assembly of Council for Regulatory of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that in recognition of significant role of the indigenous engineers in the economic growth, there was the need to grow local content in engineering sector.
He said that they should also be given more opportunities to execute infrastructural projects in the country.
The governor further urged governments at all levels to render support to local engineers in infrastructural development in the country.
”We should work with local content order and ensure that our engineers handle all locally made products or at least 90 per cent,’’ Zulum said.
According to him, Nigeria has brilliant engineers but opportunities are limited to tap their advantages.
He said that Borno was among the few states that patronizes indigenous firms where many infrastructures were designed and executed by local engineers.
He enjoined the council to collaborate with National Assembly to sponsor bill on local content engineering.
Earlier, the COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, described the Federal Government policy to withdraw funding of Professional bodies next year as a welcome development.
According to him, the funding withdrawal would strengthen the operational capacity of Professional organizations.
”COREN is not a professional association but a regulatory agency rendering government function of protecting the general public,’’ Abubakar said.
‘ He said that the council was working on new modes of engagement to identify others sources of revenue with a view to develop better planning and operations.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s Assembly is designed to foster unity and educate the Practitioners on new developments in Engineering profession.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdul Hassan/Isaac Aregbesola
