Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Engineers accuse FG of indifference to local content in projects, pacts

By Bertram Nwannekanma
29 August 2017   |   4:12 am
The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday flayed the Federal Government for non- implementation of its local content laws in contract awards and agreements, leading to colossal loss for Nigerian engineering firms and other business concerns.

Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Apapa Branch, Ombugadu Garba (left); Vice Chairman, Sunny Ejeje and Financial Secretary, Christian Ufot; during a courtesy visit to the Rutam House headquarters of The Guardian in Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) yesterday flayed the Federal Government for non- implementation of its local content laws in contract awards and agreements, leading to colossal loss for Nigerian engineering firms and other business concerns.

Chairman, Apapa branch of the association, Dr. Ombugadu Garba, who pointed out this during an advocacy visit to the Rutam House Headquarters of The Guardian in Lagos, stressed that the development had robbed the nation of inputs of indigenous engineers, especially as it relates to the inclusion of maintenance in contract agreements.

According to him, entering into pacts without the inputs of her engineers, was a great disservice as they are completely shut out of determining materials for the contracts with the concomitant loss of jobs that could have gone for the teeming youths due to exported employment.

He specifically mentioned the Nigeria-China Bilateral Agreement on revamping Nigeria’s economy through the rail projects, saying synergising with Nigerian engineers would ensure enthronement of a maintenance culture so that when the Chinese leave, the project could be well maintained.

Garba stressed that government’s support was key to adherence of extant local content laws.He dismissed the age-long stereotype that local engineers were incapable of handling projects of that magnitude.

He decried infrastructural failures in the land, especially building and road collapses, saying they occur because of government’s refusal to adhere to professional advice.He extolled The Guardian for its high editorial standards, saying it remains a veritable partner in enhancing engineering ethics in the country.

0 Comments