January 25,(THEWILL) – The Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Uwem Akpan, said the society has set up a committee to monitor construction sites in Uyo city and across the State, as a measure to check quackery and avoid incidents of building collapse in Akwa Ibom state.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday, Akpan disclosed that the society in Akwa Ibom decided to set up the committee in the wake of the collapsed four-storey building in uyo city last year September.
Akpan said the incident, which occurred one month after he was inaugurated as the state Chairman of the body in the state, was a challenge to him, hence the decision to totally eliminate quackery in Engineering profession to avoid future occurrence.
“I was sworn-in August 2022 as the state Chairman of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE). The unfortunate incident happened in first week of September.
“When we hear about building collapse, it shows that there is a failure somewhere either structurally or otherwise.
“When I heard about the collapse, I rushed to the scene. The first we did was rescue mission to save the victims.
“Later we pick samples of the collapse building from inside and analyse to see what was the cause of the collapse, was it because of the columns, beams, foundation or whatever?
“Once we finished with the analysis, we now come up with the report. I informed the National President of NSE and he arrived Uyo the following day”, he recalled.
Akpan lamented that some buildings in the state are supervised by quacks who do not possess Engineering qualifications, but handle high-rise buildings in various parts of the state.
“I saw a high-rise building under construction along oron road and when I stopped and asked for the engineer in charge, a man surfaced, but once I introduced myself, he escaped”, he narrated.
He said the committee will ensure that these quacks are fished out to face the wrath of the law.
Akpan lauded the quality of projects currently executed by the incumbent governor, stressing that from assessment they are of high quality and durable, “Most of the issues of substandard projects are seen in the private sectors where owners are cutting corners owing to the high cost of materials in the market.
He also explained that Nigerian Society of Engineers under his leadership is partnering Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state on the forthcoming Governorship debate because whatever a leader at the level of the governor does after all including their profession.
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