The Council for regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) held its 13^th annual engineering assembly at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on 21^st –22^nd September 2004.  The theme of the assembly “National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS):  Challenges to the engineering” was targeted at sensitizing members of the Engineering Family and positioning them on the roles they are expected to play for the success of this national strategy.

Papers were presented under sub-themes, which include Principles of NEEDS, role of Water Resources, Energy, Transportation, Food Security and telecommunication.  There was one interactive session.

The Opening Ceremony of the Assembly was attended by the Hon. Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe who represented the President, Engr. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Engr. M. S.Alhassan FNSE, Coordinating Executive Secretary, represented the Minister of FCT, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, represented the Hon. Minister of Works and a host of other dignitaries too numerous to mention.  The Chairman of the Occasion was Chief  (Dr) Ernest A. O. Shonekan, CBE.  Over 1500 engineering personnel participated in the Assembly.

After two full days discussion, the engineering family produced the following highlight of the deliberation:-  

1.     The critical role of Engineering in value addition, wealth creation, employment generation and poverty alleviation is recognized to be coincident with the focus and objective of NEEDS.  Thus, Science, Engineering and Technology are the critical success factors for implementation and realization of NEEDS.  To this end Government should evolve policies on science, Engineering and technology for development needs, which takes into account the nature of the local environment.

2.     The provision of adequate and sustainable infrastructure is crucial for the implementation and success of NEEDS.  The challenges of the Engineering Family for successful implementation of NEEDS include the conceptualization, design, construction/manufacture, operation, maintenance and Research and Development of sustainable infrastructure that meets the local needs and requirements. Private sector participation should be given top priority.  More specifically, the engineering personnel should be enabled and empowered by Government through

(a)    Increasing  the local technical content to 70 percent in the planning and management of water resources facilities; water supply plan should be up-dated within a given time frame in consonance with the population growth.

(b)    Involvement of local expertise in the rehabilitation of power stations and transmission facilities; the establishment of National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and embark on alternative/renewable energy schemes for rural communities, such as coal powered generating stations, solar and wind generator.

(c)    Increase patronage of the engineering personnel in the development and maintenance of transportation systems including roads, rails, ports (air and sea), and to enact reforms to redefine the roles of Government, Private Sector, and users in transportation sector as well as institutionlising transport monitoring and maintenance programmes

(d)   Implementation of food security programmes aimed at providing improved agricultural productivity, processing, preservation, development of adaptable machinery.

(e)    Involvement of telecommunication and information technology such as universal access to telephones, internet facilities to both urban and rural area of the country to stem rural-urban migration and attendant consequences.

3.     Government at all levels should promote small-scaled projects given their greater capacity for success and direct impact on the masses thereby reducing poverty.

4.     The government should make laws specifically giving at least 30% of engineering requirements of NEEDS to indigenous engineers with COREN oversight functions stressed.

5.     The desired participation of the Private Sector in the installation and management of potable water schemes in Nigeria should be given more highlights in the communiqué, please.

6.      Building of Coal Powered Generating Stations in locations with abundant Coal reserve.  This will revive our Coal Industry and consequently create a lot of jobs.

7.     Water supply plan and accessibility should be up-dated within a given time frame inconsonance with the population growth of the targeted communities.

8.     An integrated approach featuring rail, water, air, pipeline and intra-city transportation would address the important aspect of transportation with regards to needs.