THE ENGINEERS

Monday, January 7, 2013

NSE Canvasses AGFs Support on Road Sector Bills

Engr. Shehu stated that Nigeria was among the African countries that commenced the process of reforming the road sector since 1971. He said government moved to set up a panel to review the functions and mandate of the Federal Ministry of Works in terms of its effectiveness as an executing agency, as well as establish a Federal Road Authority. He however lamented that the reforms were eventually not implemented. He also pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Works with the support of the World Bank and the NSE with other stakeholders recently deliberated and articulated a document called Road Vision 2000 (RV 2000). The Road Vision 2000 according to him had the cardinal objective to create a National Road Fund, establish a National Road Board, the Federal Road Authority and to bring on board the private participation through concession/ build operate and transfer (BOT) initiative. The President told the AGF that though government accepted in principle the policy reform but did not implement it to the letter. He said in 2002, when the condition of roads continued to deteriorate, the Federal Government established the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) as an ad-hoc measure. This approach, he noted fell short of the permanent framework required to finance and execute the projects in the road sector. The AGF was also informed that in March 2006, the Road Infrastructure and Institutional

Middle: President of NSE, Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, FNSE, and Min. of Justice/AGF, Chief Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and the NSE team.

The NSE has solicited support of the executive arm of government on two road sector Bills before the National Assembly. They are the Federal Roads Authority and National Road Fund Bills which have both been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for review and input. This entreaty was made when the President, Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, FNSE, in the company of some of his Executive Council members went on an official visit to the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chief Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN in Abuja recently. Engr. Shehu told the AGF that We are here to solicit for your accelerated action on the Bills

because of the urgency attached to them, so that the management of our road infrastructure can be institutionalized in line with global best practices. The President said the Bills are critical, given that road infrastructure in the country is deteriorating at an alarming rate with adverse consequences on the economy. The need to complete the reform agenda in the road sector has become more pronounced with the recent flooding of our highways and subsequent failure of road transportation system. Indeed, the flooding incidence indicated clearly that the issue on the road sector requires more robust and quick intervention, faster than the normal ministry bureaucracy can provide, he said.

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Framework (RIIF) committee was established by the NSE with the mandate among others to work out proposed draft bills that will meet the endorsement of all stakeholders. A stakeholders workshop on Road Sector Reform in Nigeria- the Way Forward was also held sometime in 2008. He explained that the workshop highlighted the need for appropriate institutional and legal framework, and specifically recommended for the establishment of the Federal Roads Authority (FRA), Road Fund (RF), Road Board (RB) and State Road Authorities (SRAs); along with the establishment of mechanisms for their funding.

The President again hinted that, on 18th October, 2011, the Honourable Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen FNIA, FNIM, inaugurated the National Road Sector Reform Committee, in which the NSE played a significant role. He said it was that Committee that came up with recommendations and the draft bills for the creation of a Federal Road Authority and National Road Funds to be managed by a Road Board in line with global best practices. Chief Adoke while responding, expressed his personal sentiments to the engineering profession and commended the NSE for its frontline position to the development of the countrys

road sector and indeed, other sectors germane to the advancement of the country. The AGF assured the NSE delegation that he will make quality input to the respective Bills. He also pledged his support for the up-coming World Engineering Conference that will hold in Abuja in 2014.

You hold keys to development, Onolememen tells Engineers

The Honourable Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, FNIA, FNIM, on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, told Engineers that they are positioned to facilitate the speedy development of the country. He spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2012 National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting in Ilorin.

on the path of sustainable development. He stated that The federal governments policy places a challenge on all of us, and particularly those of us in the fields of science, technology and engineering, to relentlessly pursue innovation and excellence in our various professions, recognising that innovation has become a global tool for fast-tracking sustainable development. Onolememen charged Engineers to ensure that their researches and development initiatives are geared towards the enhancement of new business development and employment generation. He further stated that such ideas should also be tailored in a manner that will stimulate the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to impact positively on the larger economy.

Onolememen The conceptualisation, design, construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure needed to support economic growth of any nation generally is in the hands of Engineers You therefore, have a great role to play in harnessing, developing, and utilising advances in science and technology to build good infrastructure that can help bring about a strong, diversified, sustainable and competitive economy that guarantees a high standard of living and quality of life to all Nigerians, he said. The Minister tasked Engineers to revisit their drawing boards and come up with initiatives that will put the country

The Minister emphasised that government is confident that Nigerian Engineers have the capability to help the country succeed in its quest for development. The success of the transformation agenda of the federal government of Nigeria depends largely on you, who must aim at driving the economy with your technological skills and knowledge This is the time to become more innovative in your profession than ever before, Nigerian Engineers must resolve and takeup the challenge to ensure the realization of Vision 20: 2020 through the application of engineering tools to solve key national economic problems, he said.

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End of Year Party: NSE Staff receive commendation, 7 bag awards

NSE staff Thursday, December 13, 2012, won accolade from the top management. President of NSE, Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, FNSE, who spoke at the End of Year party for the staff in Abuja, commended the entire staff stressing that his commendation derives from the transparent spirit of hard work exhibited by the staff. He considered himself one lucky NSE President, observing that staff members are always punctual in their assignments and urged them to make every effort to do better in the years ahead. Engr. (Chief) Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, FNSE, Immediate Past President expressed happiness that the zeal of the staff went a long way to help him succeed on the mandate that his professional colleagues gave him during his tenure as President. He then delivered a special Thank you and good wishes for the Season from his wife. Engr. Kashim Ali, FNSE, mni, former President commended the staff saying that, when he came into office as President of the Society he urged the upward review of staff salaries to spur them to render quality service. He said the move led to a visit to other professional organisations which helped the NSE to restructure their staff. He urged the staff to strive to excel in their respective assignments. Vice President, Corporate Resources and Media, Engr. Ali Rabiu, FNSE, agreed with the encomiums that were poured on the staff and encouraged them to continue to be diligent and meticulous in their respective duties. EXCO Member, Engr. Prof. Simon Irtwange, FNSE, on his part, commended NSE staff, describing them as even more dedicated to duty than staff of the university environment in which he operates and which is often described as the centre of excellence. Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Engr. Ahmed K. Amshi, FNSE, commended all the staff and presented 7 to the President for outstanding awards. The Overall Best Staff of the year award was conferred on Mr. Kalu Okeke while Most Dedicated and Effective Staff award went to Mr. Tanimu Ogaji. Mrs. Bright Ilenikhena, Miss Maureen Onah, Mr. Nathaniel Elujekwute and Mr. Akinwande Abiodun all bagged, the Most Punctual and Courteous Staff, Best Corporately Dressed and Committed Staff, Best Behaved and Most Improved Staff of the year awards respectively. Engr. Amshi also presented Mrs. Ogochukwu Okechukwu and Mrs. Blessing Okamgba of the Lagos Liason Office to the President for the Most dedicated Staff awards. In her remarks, Head of Legal Services, Mrs. Olayemi Alimi, on behalf of the entire Secretariat staff presented the ES to the President for an award. Mrs. Alimi said the staff decided to award the ES for his exemplary and fatherly guidance. She announced that the party was sponsored by Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, FNSE, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, FNSE, Engr. Ali Rabiu, FNSE, Engr. Mrs. Valerie Agberagba, FNSE, Engr. Charles Mbanefo, FNSE, Engr. Habu Gumel, FNSE, Engr. Kashim Ali, FNSE, mni, Engr. Chief Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, FNSE, Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu, FNSE, Engr. Imabong Inyang, FNSE, Engr. Olu Ogunduyile, FNSE, Engr. Chief G. Massari, FNSE, Engr. Olusegun Adedeji,FNSE, and COREN. She thanked them saying they have indeed boosted the morale of staff.

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Staff End-of-year party in pictures