The Bayelsa State Government has assured the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) of government’s continued support for the professional growth of its members in the state.
The State Governor, Douye Diri, gave the assurance at his office in Government House when the Yenagoa branch of the NSE paid him a courtesy visit.
Represented by the state deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor said government was committed to the in-service training of engineers in the state.
He noted that effective training and retraining will help to enhance quality of jobs done, proper planning and implementation of projects as well as forestalling project failure in the state.
Commenting on NSE’s request for support to its proposed bill on Bayelsa Physical Development, Ewhrudjakpo urged the body to fashion out other sources of funding rather than solely rely on government capital projects.
While emphasising the need for discipline, Diri also advised the body of engineers to think out ways of involving multinational companies and other corporate organisations in its funding arrangement.
He charged members of the Society to occasionally embark on excursion visits to schools including the faculty of engineering at the Niger Delta University (NDU) to give ethical orientation and inspire the future engineers of the state.
“To the issues you have raised, I want to assure you that we are still sponsoring engineers in the state. Only yesterday,I approved training for engineers who are going to attend the NSE Conference holding in August this year. As the Ministry of Works brings their applications, we will approve them.”
“We will continue to support the Nigerian Society of Engineers as far as our capacity to support is concerned. We will ensure that our engineers go for training and re-training. This is key because the only way you can contribute to societal development is to learn continually,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman,Nigerian Society of Engineers, Yenagoa Branch, Engr Gordon Monday Bubou, said the visit was to solicit the state government’s support to enable their members attend the forthcoming NSE Conference in August.
Engr Bubou equally appealed that the NSE needed the present administration’s assistance for the Bayelsa State Physical Development Bill which seeks funding for engineers, surveyors and builders through public capital projects in the state.
He appreciated the deputy governor’s contributions towards the building of critical infrastructure in the state by the last administration and the growth of the profession as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The Chairman also thanked the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for the supportive role he played during the burial of a former Commissioner for Works in the state, Professor Telimoye Oguara.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenegoa