Abuja: Mr. Olofunsho Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, has called on engineers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the execution of road projects in Nigeria. Adebiyi made the call during a three-day training event for Highway Engineers, Technologists, and Technicians from the North-Central region, held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adebiyi emphasized the crucial role engineers play in delivering quality infrastructure that meets international standards. He highlighted the need for excellence and professionalism in fulfilling the ministry’s mandates and underscored the importance of capacity building and training for staff members to enhance their skills and knowledge in delivering high-quality projects.
Adebiyi remarked, “Excellence is not something one jumps at, you must work to achieve it.” He encouraged engineers to return to the fundamentals of highway engineering, seek clarification when needed, and take pride in successfully supervising and completing projects. He urged engineers to adhere to professional ethics, continuously build their knowledge, and align their work with international standards.
The permanent secretary also addressed the issue of stagnation, advising engineers to gain diverse experiences by working in different regions of the country. He pointed out a systemic issue where officers remain in one location throughout their careers and announced plans for staff transfers across departments to broaden their knowledge and effectiveness as senior officers.
Mr. Yiltony David, the Director of Highway Planning and Development, stated that the training would enhance the quality of work and productivity of the engineers, emphasizing a service-oriented approach to infrastructure development.
Furthermore, Mr. Femi Oyekanmi, a retiree from the ministry, highlighted the necessity of mentorship and the need for more professionals in the ministry. He called on the Federal Government to recruit additional engineers and technical assistants to alleviate the workload on existing staff.