Architects Want Utilisation Of Indigenous Engineers

Sequel to the agitation of Nigerian engineers over the preference of their foreign counterparts in the execution of projects in Nigeria which is visibly noticed in the award of contracts by the Federal Government to foreigners, the Nigerian Institute of Architect (NIA) has given support to proper utilization of indegenous engineers for effective development.

Speaking in a forum on economic transformation of Nigeria recently in Lagos, the Chairman of NIA, Lagos branch Mr. Olatunde Jaiyesinmi agreed that engineering is the hub of national development, pointing out that there was no aspect of development where engineering is not deeply involved.

He said that Nigerian engineers must be allowed to play their roles, pointing out that undue preference for foreign practitioners would not augur well for Nigeria’s quest for development.

Architect Olatunde said “I am of the opinion that when one talks about effective transportation, communication, power generation, transmission and distribution, including housing delivery, water supply and others, engineers must not only be involved, but must be there”.

Professionals also maintained that it will be counter-productive for the country; if undue preference was given to foreign practitioners at the expense of their Nigerian counterparts and that this issue must be given paramount importance, if economic transformation would be achieved.

It would be recalled that Nigerian engineers as part of their agitation had recently called on the policy makers to urgently address the imbalance in project award between local and foreign practitioners, saying that trend, if not checked would further widen the gap of under-development of professionalism, particularly within the construction industry in Nigeria