NAN-H-24
Contractors
By Taiye Edeni
Abuja, Oct. 7, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) has urged Federal Government to train local contractors to solve infrastructural decay and deficit in the country.
Mr Tope Oribuyaku, a member of the institute, said this at the ongoing 2016 Civil Engineering Conference held in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Infrastructural Decay and Deficit in Nigeria: Its Effect on National Economy”.
Oribuyaku, who was the Guest Lecturer at the conference, told NAN in an interview that if local contractors were trained, they would have a good insight on projects and be able to execute them perfectly.
“Training of local contractors is very important; when you award contracts under international financing, there is provision for training.
“But in Nigeria, there is no provision. We believe that training is not necessary; and if you don’t train a contractor, how will they perform?” he asked.
He advised that contract executing agencies should set aside an amount to train awardees to know what to do and do it right.
He further advised the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to be up and doing by reviewing its procedures.
Oribuyaku, however, said that the institution had been clamouring for road funds and a road authority which would be in charge of execution while the Ministry of Works should be responsible for policies.
“We have been clamouring for road funds and a road authority.
“The road authority will be in charge of execution; the road fund will be in charge of financing while the ministry will be in charge of policies.
“If this is done, we will work better.”
Earlier, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr Otis Anyaeji, noted a decay in infrastructure in schools, health, communications and transport facilities.
He said that the country’s economy was also suffering due to infrastructure deficit in the country.
Anyaeji said that the problems of infrastructure could be addressed if people in public service at the highest level focused on service delivery.
He said that they should see public office as an opportunity to render service to the people.
Anyaeji further enjoined Nigerians to embrace honesty, integrity and a burning desire to deliver efficient service to the people.
Meanwhile, Mrs Jessica Yakwo, the Chairman, Abuja chapter of NICE, said that the theme of the conference was carefully selected based on the prevailing economic situation in the country.
She said that most of the infrastructures in the country were in despicable condition due to several factors, including inadequate maintenance culture.
According to her, these infrastructures are not only deteriorating but also suffering deficit in the area of public sector financing. (NAN)
TY/DO/NKO
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Edited by David Onilede/NKechi Okoronkwo
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