Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has commended Nigerian Civil Engineers for their immense contributions to national development, pledging legislative supports to strengthen the engineering profession.
Sen. Bamidele, represented by Mr Oluseyi Olubanjo, Special Assistant to the Senate President, gave the assurance at the grand finale of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) on Monday in Abuja.
He congratulated the institution for reaching the milestone of silver jubilee and praised its members for their commitment to infrastructure development and nation building.
“I really want to associate with this great success as you celebrate your 25th anniversary as a professional institution. This is a milestone achievement worthy of celebration.
“From the National Assembly, we appreciate your contributions to nation building as a great professional institute.
“The National Assembly has an open-door policy. We are ready to partner with your institution, especially with regard to whatever legislative support you require to further strengthen your profession in Nigeria.
“Whatever legislative proposals you bring before us, we will give them our full support without hesitation,” he pledged.
Bamidele lauded past and present leaders of the institution for laying a solid foundation for the organisation’s growth and acknowledged the contributions of engineers toward Nigeria’s development.
Former National Chairman of NICE, Dr Jang Tanko, expressed concern over the persistent cases of building collapse in the country and blamed many incidents on the failure of developers to engage qualified professionals.
Tanko said many developers cut costs by relying on artisans and unqualified personnel rather than certified engineers, thereby compromising the integrity of construction projects.
“To raise any structure, especially high-rise buildings, you cannot take anything for granted.
“Developers must carry out proper soil investigations and engage professionals from the design stage through construction and maintenance,” he said.
Tanko noted that some developers ignore professional designs, alter approved building specifications, use substandard construction materials and increase building heights without redesigning foundations.
“It is sad that people continue to lose their lives because of carelessness and the desire to cut construction costs.
“Engineers must be involved throughout the entire construction process to prevent avoidable disasters,” he added.
Speaking on the journey of NICE so far, the National Chairman, Tokunbo Ajanaku, attributed the institution’s achievements over the past 25 years to divine grace and the sacrifices of its founding members.
Ajanaku paid tribute to past national chairmen, executive secretaries and pioneer members who worked tirelessly to establish and sustain the institution in spite of the numerous challenges.
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the dedication, resilience and sacrifices of those who built the institution into one of Nigeria’s foremost professional engineering bodies.
He urged members to preserve the institution’s history while continuing to uphold professionalism, excellence and integrity in engineering practice for the advancement of the nation.
Also speaking, a member of the planning committee for the NICE at 25th celebration, Olumoh Sharafadeen, said NICE has successfully united professionals in civil engineering practice and contributed to infrastructure development.
“It has been a long journey and the development recorded is monumental in a way that NICE has been able to gather up professionals within the civil engineering practice to make good their practice by developing the infrastructure of the country.
