Ondo to patronise local engineers —Akeredolu

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State says his administration has concluded plans to patronize local engineers in the state to check capital flight.

Akeredolu made this known on Friday in Akure at the Second 2017 Distinguished Engineering Lecture organized by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE).

The lecture entitled, “Power Infrastructure Development as a Panacea for Industrial Revolution in a Change Environment,” was delivered by Mr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, said engineers needed to come on board for the people of the state to benefit from their talents.

“The present administration in the state will involve engineers in state projects and if you don’t impress us, we know how to deal with you,” he said.

According to the governor, it is not the responsibility of lawmakers to engage in projects in their constituencies.

He said that lawmakers were only elected to represent their constituencies and make laws that would impact meaningfully on the lives of the people.

Earlier, the National President of NSE, Mr. Otis Anyaeji, had called on the state branch to rise up to its responsibility.

The president, who was represented by Mr. Kunle Mokunolu, said it was the responsibility of NSE to ensure that every engineer was a stakeholder in the development of the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NSE, Akure Branch, Mr. Oloruntoba Abe, enumerated the contributions of the body to national development.

He said the association would not relent in replicating this in the state.

Oyedele, the Executive Director of Engineering and Technical Service Holding Ltd., in his lecture, advised engineers to take active part in the decision-making process in the country.

“It is time for this distinguished society to enforce the Students Industrial Works Experience Scheme (SIWES) for engineering students nationwide.

“The time has come for the NSE to design a course of study that a prospective graduate member should undertake before admission into full membership of NSE.

“The curriculum should include training in the ethics of the profession and a code of conduct expected of an engineer.

“The society should also determine the length of pupillage and even encourage mentorship for a period of not less than five years after full membership,” he said.

Source: NAN