NICE National Chairman Visits Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing – 28th July, 2020 The National Chairman, Engr. Mrs. Aishatu Aliyu Umar, FNSE, FNICE led a delegation of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers comprising of The National Chairman, Engr. Kashim Abdul Ali, FNSE, mni, Engr. Fadeyi Olaniyi Lawrence, Engr. Abdulkareem Hameed Olayinka, Engr. Dominic O. Akuboh, Engr. SadiqBomoi, Nasiru Lawal and Peter Fadeyi on a Courtesy visit to the honourable Minister of state for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE at 11:14AM on Tuesday, 28th July, 2020. The delegation was received by the Honourable Minister and his team of Directors and one Technical Assistant. The Directors included in no particular order Engr. Funsho Adebiyi (Dir./ Transport), Engr. Godwin Ekpo (Director/Highway, South-South), Engr. Celestine Shamsu (Director/Highway, North-East), Engr. Solomon (Director/Highway, North-West), Engr. EbeAdebiyi (DD/Highway, South-West), Engr. J.A. Yusuf (Director/Highway, North-Central) and Sarafidan (Technical Assistant to the hon. Minister of States). General introduction of both sides were done and the flor given to the National Chairman, Engr. Mrs. Aishatu Aliyu Umar to state her mission. She expressed her appreciation to the honourable Minister of States/Works and Housing for his acceptance to entertain the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, thanked him for his role in the current political dispensation and stated the purpose of the visit as follows: • To identify with the Honourable Minister who is also a Civil Engineer and member of the Engineering family and physically congratulate him on his appointment. • Highlight the achievements of the Institution and membership drive • Solicit support for Acquisition of a Strategic Land for NICE Permanent National Secretariat • Mention professional areas requiring the attention of the Ministry. She therefore gave a rundown of the achievement recorded under her administration to include setting up a National Secretariat at Abuja, Membership drive and chapter expansion, professional development seminars and workshops, Local and International Professional Affiliations and MoUs amongst others and sought the support of the honourable Minister to get all qualified Civil Engineers of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing registered with the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers. She concluded asking the Ministry to intensify efforts in combatting the activities of quacks and the use of sub-standard materials in construction as well as addressing the issue of infrastructural decay and deficit in Nigeria and invited the Minster to the 2020 NICE Conference/Annual general meeting scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre but might also hold virtually if the COVID 19 Pandemic persists. In his response the honourable Minister acknowledged receipt of congratulatory letter written to him when he was appointed by the institution stating that he had replied and commended the efforts of the Institution in same regard. On the issue of request for support in securing or acquiring a land for the Institution’s Permanent National Secretariat in Abuja, he advised the NICE to write officially to the Ministry stating the exact assistance required. He promised to encourage and support qualified members of staff of the Ministry register with NICE and other relevant professional organisations. On the issue of quackery and use of sub-standard materials he stated that the enabling law has already been put in place by government to enable regulatory agencies/engineers carry out inspection and requested that the task be carried out diligently and effectively too. He made an analogy of how medical doctors safe a life at a time and how the action of engineers can save lives at a time. He advocated for prompt identification of quacks and eradication of sub-standard materials while reiterating safety and economy in engineering design and construction. He congratulated NICE for their acceptance into the World Council of Civil Engineers and several international affiliations. He did mention that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has about 600 road projects ongoing across the country and urged NICE to take advantage of this opportunity brought by an engineering-friendly government of his excellency, MohammaduBuhari, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He urged NICE to develop a strategy to gain from the projects of the Ministry. He also charged NICE to render professional advisories to further boost the positive impact of the Ministry’s activities. Souvenirs and an award plaque of excellence were presented to the Minister and group photographs taken at about 11:56AM. My Engineers My Engineers The Nigerian Society of Engineers - Onitsha Branch Nigerian Society of Engineers Akure Branch. World Council of Civil Engineers | WCCE The American Society of Civil Engineers