The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have revealed its intention to establish an Accreditation Bureau that would review and recommend curriculum development, training and accreditation issues in engineering faculties across universities and other technical institutes.
In a communique issued by NSE at the end of its Council meeting in Abuja, the engineers noted that it would also set up Cost Indices/Infrastructural Scorecard Bureau that would constantly review rates of engineering materials for project estimates.
It also called on the federal government to establish a Railway Research and Development Institute synonymous with the Korean Rail Research Institute or the Chinese Academy of Railway Sciences to organize training, capacity building, research and development for the railway sector.
They further requested that the institute should operate independently adding that the Nigerian Railway Authority Bill proposed by the executive which made ample provisions for private sector participation and the institutionalization of a regulatory agency in the transport sector should be considered and subjected to further review and enactment.
“NSE will participate actively in the review of the Nigerian Railway Authority Bill with a view to establishing a slim government organization saddled with the responsibility of regulation and safety, while operation and development are left to the private sector and sub national government.
It promised to work with the Senate Committee on Land Transport to achieve a workable bill that would transform the railway sector by deploying international best practices in railway governance and management.
This is even as they commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s genuine concern for the growth of Nigeria adding that his recent visit to China to solicit Chinese government’s partnership and support towards achieving growth and prosperity would yield maximum benefits in the long run.
“Since our country must pay back borrowed funds for these projects, we must endeavour to benefit beyond the completed infrastructure from the transactions, to the advantage of shoring up technology acquisitions and by implication, Local Content Development.
Source: Leadership
