Speaker Proposes Collaborative Effort Between Government and Engineers for National Infrastructure Development
The Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, has called for a collaborative partnership between the Nigerian government and professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to drive infrastructural growth in the country. This appeal was made during the inaugural ceremony of the 2023 National Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting of the NSE in Abuja, under the theme, “Re-Engineering the Manufacturing Sector for Competitiveness and Enhanced Economic Growth”.
During his absence, the Speaker was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who underscored the significance of the Conference’s theme in alignment with the national objective. He emphasized the imperative for the government to work harmoniously with engineers to achieve substantial progress in technical and infrastructural development, drawing inspiration from the models of well-developed nations. The Speaker further expressed the legislature’s readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue with the NSE.
Additionally, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas underscored the influential role of engineering in shaping the nation’s future and sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the ambitious infrastructure masterplan launched by the Federal Government, which outlines a 2.3 trillion dollar investment over the next 23 years to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. The Speaker stressed that the success of this grand plan hinges on the amalgamation of engineering expertise with effective governance.
In a similar vein, the President of the NSE, Mr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, highlighted that the Conference’s theme was chosen due to the dwindling manufacturing activities in Nigeria. He expressed apprehensions about the erosion of Nigeria’s non-oil export performance, citing the departure of international conglomerates such as Volkswagen, Michelin, and Procter & Gamble, due to unsupportive government policies.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who was honoured with a Fellowship of the NSE, underscored the importance of focusing on manufacturing, given the abundance of natural resources in the country. He highlighted an executive order in his state, requiring companies mining lithium to carry out the first processing of the mineral within the state, as a way to leverage the economic potential of the resource and create employment opportunities for the local populace.
The NSE’s Annual General Meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, November 28, will feature discussions and presentations on strategies to develop the manufacturing sector for national development. Industry experts in the engineering and manufacturing sector will be in attendance, and a communique will be forwarded to the President and released to the public upon the conclusion of the conference.
The inaugural ceremony saw six individuals granted fellowship of the Society, including the Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shetimma, who received an Honorary fellowship. Dignitaries present at the event included the Representative of the President of the Senate, the Representative of the Minister of Works, and members of the National Assembly. Representatives from Ghana, Kenya, and Sierra Leone’s engineering professional bodies also graced the occasion.
