A coalition of five civil society groups have called on the minister of works, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to wade into the leadership of COREN alleging the manner the leaders emerged did not conform with laid down professional procedures
In a press statement release by the group in Abuja, signed by its coordinator comrade Mohammed Adamu, stated that with rising cases of building collapses, poor engineering works for road construction and project execution,a contested leadership at COREN cannot effectively regulate standards.
The Group noted that they are “aware that a public interest law firm, Ojichukwu & Livingfaith Partners, through it’s Managing Partner, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq has petitioned the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN to intervene and cancel the illegal election of Engr. Professor. Saqiq Z. Abubakar and Engr. Olu Ogunduyile as President and Vice-President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria as both are not duly appointed members of the Council as required by the relevant law”.
They alleged that the current leaders were installed without due process.
The group said, in the interest of sustenance of ethical standards, professionalism and rule of law in the engineering profession as well as public interest, they support the call on the Minister to urgently address the petition and intervene to ensure that the leadership of COREN is elected and constituted in accordance with the law.
“The request for the minister’s intervention will show a commitment to address the rising cases of engineering malpractices that contribute to building collapses and other project failures” the statement said.
“We commend the Minister’s disposition to the upholding of ethical standards, professionalism and rule of law as the supervising Minister of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria. And we believe the Minister will not standby and allow the enthronement of illegality in the leadership of the Council in particular regards to the currently elected President and Vice President who are not qualified to stand election as they are not duly appointed members of the Council” it stated.
“We call on the Minister to immediately investigate these allegations and take necessary action,” Adamu said.
Comrade Mohammed Adamu said, in view of this worrisome situation, we think the Nigerian Engineering profession could begin to get things rights and address the spate of engineering misconducts and malpractices by having a leadership elected in accordance with the law.
