By Sunday Okoli
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, says human capital development and higher professional standards will be prioritised in the ministry to improve engineering practice and infrastructure delivery.
Ezeobi stated this on Aug. 7 in Awka when the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka Branch, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said one of his key objectives was to ensure that the ministry had seasoned and competent engineers, stressing that this could only be achieved through continuous training and capacity building.
“Human capital development must become our priority. We must invest in training, competence and professionalism. There must be clear standards, terms and conditions that everyone is expected to meet,” he said.
The commissioner said there was a difference between designing a project and executing it in line with approved designs and specifications, noting that poor execution could undermine the lifespan of infrastructure.
He explained that a road designed to last 20 years could begin to fail after three or four years if it was not constructed according to specifications, adding that such failure ultimately affected the public.
Ezeobi charged engineers to serve as agents of change by taking the lead in quality control and assurance, particularly by ensuring that only approved and quality construction materials were used on project sites.
Earlier, the Chairman of NSE, Awka Branch, Engr. Maryjane Okoli, said the visit was to congratulate Ezeobi on his appointment and strengthen collaboration and synergy between the society and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry and former Chairman of NSE, Awka Branch, Engr. Dr. Martin Agbili, thanked the commissioner for the warm reception and his commitment to supporting the society and its programmes.
Sunday Okoli is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
