Engineering Code must Address Emerging Challenges, Says Robert

The need for reviewing the Engineering Code of Conduct has been stressed in order to take care of emerging challenges in national development.

Mr. Azibaola Robert, Founder Zeetin Engineering, made the call at the 31st Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

In a paper presentation with the theme ‘Strengthening Engineering Practitioners’ Code of Conduct in Nigeria’, Robert said that the review would widen the scope and encourage practical application.

He said that the restriction on certain engineers from directly or indirectly participating in some aspect of design, planning and execution of projects would not engender professionalism.

“Once you or your boss is the consultant who designed and approved the structure which you have to supervise as a regulator, then you have lost the moral ground to sanction any violation.

“The Engineering Code of Conduct needs to put stricter responsibility on those whose duty it is to make approvals that eventually impact on public safety and/or losses to citizens. This is not about the Nigerian engineer only.  It is about our larger society.

“Perhaps, those who approve structures, in addition to the Code’s clear provisions on conflict of interest, need to sign a sworn oath of non-participation in the draft design submitted, which they vetted and approved.

“Such oath needs to state clearly that they, their associates, or any persons remotely associated with them have no hand or interest in the design of the structure which he/she has vetted and approved.”

He added that removal of the dichotomy between engineers with degrees and those with diplomas would expand the horizon of the profession to more practical achievement than mere paper qualifications.

“It appears that they suffer some form of handicaps and are subjected to more arduous requirements to be certified to practice fully as engineering practitioners.

“I do think that it is the right time to short-circuit the pathways of HND holders and other technologists to become COREN-certified engineers, based on their track record of professional accomplishments.

“Rather than following through the present requirements where, I understand, that in some cases, one needs to undertake additional two-year educational studies to become COREN-certified after graduation from polytechnic.

“There should rather be an assessment system where the candidates submit their accomplishments to a team of assessors for their certification by COREN, if this is not already the situation.”

Robert said that the code should encompass a wider field of engineering to encourage the deployment of new technologies that have been part of new infrastructure across the globe.

“Expertise in engineering comes with zeal to know and the practical application of that knowledge.

“It is a known fact that 90 per cent, or more, of today’s world engineering inventions and innovations, was made by young or non-engineers who were desirous of making complicated processes easier for themselves and others.

“Overtime, some of these audacious inventions became adopted by society as a standard for resolving engineering challenges.

“In this era of internet and social media, it’s unarguable that the younger ones are more likely to find solutions to engineering challenges than our old, experienced selves.

“Engineering, apart from the application of aged-tested theories, mathematical formulas and calculations, is the art of mastering logic and sequencing (though not totally as simplistic),” he said.

Robert called for the use of modern resources in engineering, adding that the wheel must not be re-invented to attain technological excellence.

“If our national goal could change to importation of processed metals, such as stainless steels and aluminium shafts and blocks, as we already have value chain for mild steel sheets widely used in the building industries, we would, at least, have commenced somewhere.

“If we could import the raw materials and add value to them instead, no matter how rudimentary, we will be on the pathway to home-grown technological advancement as a country.”

He commended the tremendous contributions of engineers and engineering to the development of humanity from creation, adding that “humanity’s advances made with materials engineering have been breath-taking.’’

The COREN Engineering Assembly is an annual event organised to bring together engineering professionals, academics, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss current trends and issues in the engineering profession.

The Assembly provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among stakeholders in the engineering industry in Nigeria and beyond.