The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has inaugurated its Southeast Steering Committee, reaffirming its commitment to eliminating quackery and enforcing professional standards across the engineering sector in the region.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Aeodem Event Centre in Enugu State, marked a significant step in COREN’s ongoing efforts to restructure and expand its oversight functions nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the COREN Technical Committee in Anambra State and member of the Southeast Steering Committee, Engr. Victor Meju, declared that it was time for certified engineers to reclaim their rightful place in the profession and purge the industry of unqualified practitioners.
“The inauguration of this committee marks a critical milestone in COREN’s ongoing restructuring and expansion,” Engr. Meju stated. “It’s a strategic move aimed at strengthening COREN’s oversight in the Southeast, ensuring that engineering practices meet global best standards and addressing the rampant cases of infrastructural failures linked to unqualified practitioners.”
The newly formed Southeast Steering Committee will focus on regulatory enforcement, ethical compliance, and monitoring professional standards across the five states of the region. Engr. Meju stressed that the committee’s mandate would be instrumental in restoring public trust in the quality of engineering projects.
Delivering the keynote address, COREN National President, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, who officially inaugurated the committee members, reiterated the council’s mission to promote excellence and sustainable development in the engineering profession.
“Our goal is to strengthen collaboration with state governments and stakeholders in the Southeast. This committee will serve as a crucial mechanism for compliance and enforcement of engineering regulations,” Prof. Abubakar stated.
He reminded participants that COREN, as a regulatory agency established by the Federal Government, is responsible for overseeing the education, training, and ethical conduct of engineers across Nigeria.
Prof. Abubakar also commended Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his administration’s developmental strides and expressed gratitude for the state’s continued support of COREN initiatives. Governor Mbah was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Gerald C. Otiji.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Engr. Ejikeme U. Mgbemena, the Committee Chairman, pledged to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
“We are committed to ensuring that engineering projects across the Southeast are handled only by qualified engineers. We will make the most of this mandate and work closely with relevant institutions and government agencies to deliver on our objectives,” Mgbemena assured.