President Buhari tasks engineers on nation’s infrastructure deficit

President Muhammadu Buhari has sought more creative and innovative ideas from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to reverse the infrastructure deficit in the country, saying, “Nigerian problems require uniquely Nigerian solutions.”

Buhari, who received a delegation led by President, Council of the NSE, Adekunle Mokuolu, said reversing the nation’s infrastructure deficit would require indigenous capacity, noting that the government has deliberately structured policies to favour more local content and capacity development.

“The foundations of any developed, competitive and prosperous society are based on good education and quality infrastructure. Many nations we look up to are those with adequate and accessible infrastructure, power and water resources.

“They achieved these by embracing engineering and engineers. Over the years, Nigerian engineers have been recognized globally for carrying out amazing and impactful projects.

“Unfortunately, this is not the case here as the enabling environment was simply not provided for decades to enable these innovative and creative professionals to flourish and showcase our country as an engineering hub,” he said.

The President urged the professionals to look inwards in showcasing their knowledge and skills in a way that directly impact the country.

Responding, Mokuolu commended the President for expressing his belief in local capacity in 2009 at an NSE conference and following up with Executive Orders, appointments and recognition of the regulatory council to further encourage engineers in partnering with government to develop the country.

He said the NSE had been playing a strategic role in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and had established a North East Rehabilitation Committee, while making some requests to the President, which includes involving members in conceptual stages of projects.

Mokuolu said the NSE Council had commenced domestication of global codes and standards, noting that it now has 75 branches across the country, with two in Houston, United States of America (USA) and London in the United Kingdom (UK).