A Representative of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria – COREN, Cross River State Branch, Engr. Charles N. Okongoh, has appealed to the State Government to ensure that COREN's stamp and registered engineers signatures are appended on building designs as they undergo the process of approval.
Engr. Charles Okongoh, who is also the Director General of Cross River Rural Access and Mobility Programme (CR-RAMP) decried the situation where building designs hardly bear the stamp of COREN registered engineers, while such building designs always have the stamp and signatures of registered architects of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
He made his feelings known when he had audience with the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Surv. Raphael Uche at the Conference Room of the Ministry, and was thankful to God that Cross River State has not experienced collapsed buildings as others States of the country.
Engr. Okongoh appealed to Government to ensure that registered engineers were assigned the duty of checking building designs for structural, mechanical, electrical and other engineering components before approvals are given in order to forestall unpalatable consequences.
He used the occasion to solicit for accommodation for Cross River State Council of COREN to further enhance and boost its monitoring functions since COREN in the State was facing serious threat of transfer of its zonal status, because of lack of office accommodation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Surv.Raphel Uche, promised to ensure that COREN in the State has an office space, while regretting that some organizations and agencies occupying the 6th and 7th floors of Okoi Arikpo House were asked to relocate in view of the ongoing renovation of the building to accommodate the Tourism Bureau's and Hospitality College which is expected to take-off soon.
Surv. Uche reiterated Government's position in taking advantage to develop other sectors of the economy, such as tourism, bearing in mind its current challenges in the oil and gas sector.
This would surely improve the standard that i can attest to. it's the truth