Bring Out More Innovative Ideas to Fight Infrastructure Deficit, Buhari Charges Engineers

  • Buhari calls for reverse in infrastructure deficit through innovation.
  • Mokuolu commends Buhari for expressing his belief in local capacity.

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that despite the giant stride recorded by Nigerian engineers abroad, they are not appreciated at home.

The President who stated this on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) led by its president, Adekunle Mokuolu at the State House, Abuja called for more concerted effort, creative and innovative ideas from the NSE, in reversing the infrastructure deficit in the country.

Speaking further, President Buhari, who noted that reversing the deficit will require indigenous capacity, said that the government has deliberately structured policies to favour more local content and capacity development.

READ: Come to Nigeria And Have Huge Returns on Your Investment, Buhari Woos Dubai Investors

Buhari who also stated that the foundations of any developed, competitive and prosperous society are based on good education and quality infrastructure said many successful nations are with adequate and accessible infrastructure, power and water resources.

“They achieved these by embracing engineering and of course, engineers. Over the years, Nigerian engineers have been recognized globally for carrying out amazing and impactful projects.

“Unfortunately, this is not the case here at home as for decades, the enabling environment was simply not provided for these innovative and creative professionals to flourish and showcase our country as an engineering hub,” he pointed.

He, therefore, urged the professionals to look inward in showcasing their knowledge and skill in a way that will directly impact the nation noting that in the past four years, his administration had focused on reversing this trend by introducing policies that will create the enabling environment for engineers to succeed and thrive.

“We introduced Executive Orders and embarked on several infrastructure developments and rehabilitation projects. As a Government, we also prioritized local content in our procurement processes.”

He also called on the engineers to continue supporting his administration and government at all levels to build a more prosperous society.

READ: FAAN MD Speaks on Buhari’s Achievements In Provision of Airports’ Infrastructures

Mokuolu, who commended the President for expressing his belief in local capacity in 2009 at an NSE conference and following up with Executive Orders, appointments and recognition of the regulatory council to further encourage engineers in partnering with the government to develop the country  in his remarks said the engineering society had been playing a strategic role in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and had established a North-East Rehabilitation Committee while presenting a list of requests to the President, which includes involving members in conceptual stages of projects.

He further revealed that the council had started domestication of global codes and standards, noting that it now has 75 branches spread across the country, with two in foreign cities, Houston and London.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *