The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has charged engineers and other Nigerian professionals to contribute their quota in the development of engineering infrastructures for the country.
Onu who spoke at the investiture of Engr. George Okoroma as the 18th President of the Association of Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) on Thursday, advised Nigerian professionals to leverage on Executive 5 to bid for contracting jobs and build excellence in local capacity by economically empowering themselves.
Speaking further on Executive Order 5, Dr. Onu said the Order compels procuring entities to give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
A statement by the Ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Abdulganiyu, in Abuja said the Minister also challenged engineering professionals, especially consulting engineers to display high level of technical competence in the practice of their profession.
It is only by doing this, he added, that Nigeria people can benefit from their outputs at the most cost – effective level.
“It is well known that the place of engineering in infrastructural development of any nation cannot be overemphasized, hence the importance of engineers to Nigeria is infrastructural development is highly commendable” he added.
Dr. Onu further urged consulting engineers to upgrade their talents and strive to surpass their colleagues in other parts of the world.
In his words: “I want to see our consulting engineers competing with the best in the world and winning bids in the technologically advanced countries in the future”.
