Denis Mathew
In a bid to curb the myriad of building collapse in the country, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has gazetted laws that will guide the practices of Structural Engineers in the country and these laws will be ready in two weeks time.
Recall that Structural Engineering is a specialty within the field of civil engineering that focuses on the framework of structures, and on designing those structures (eg buildings, roads, Bridges) to withstand the stresses and pressures of their environment and remain safe, stable and secure throughout their use.
The President of COREN, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu made the disclosure at the 2022 Conference and 35th Annual General meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers held in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said, “It is unfortunate that today our Engineering Profession and society is plagued and bedeviled with all sorts of ceremonies, politicking and we have sent to the background the key thing that brought us together which is professionalism. But I see a lot of professionalism in midst of Nigerian Institution of structural engineers and that’s why it is the only division of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) that has so far approached COREN to gets its regulations on area of practice.
“We are appealing to other Engineers to get their area of profession practice to COREN so that we can protect our area of practice too.”
According to him, the President of NSE complained about quackery in the profession.
He said, “If you don’t take the opportunity in COREN regulations to protect your own area of practice and you decide to make it open, of course people will come to take it over. But structural engineers have responded long ago by sending us a draft regulation on their practices and we reviewed the draft regulation. We took it to the council for consideration which has approved it and soon it will be given to them.
“Let me inform you that the Structural Engineers gazette will be out before NSE Conference in November 14th, 2022 and I will not stop appealing to other Engineering Professions to sit down to draft their regulations to submit to COREN because you have an opportunity now.”
Engr. Rabiu emphasized that any regulation done by COREN is already approved by the council and signed by the president and enforced by law.
“Previously, we had to go to the Minister of Works begging for approval but today once the council has approved and it is signed by COREN President it can be enforced as law. I urge engineers to take advantage of this and bring as many regulations in the profession to safeguard your practices.”
He applauded the leadership of Structural Engineers for being at the forefront of ensuring professionalism in their area of practice.
The President equally revealed that the council recently approved a joint professional examination for registration in COREN and admission into the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE).