NSE Pays Courtesy Visit To Ministry of Justice, as Commissioner Charges Professionals To Join Politics .

By Collins Dupson, 10th April, 2022

To further cement its cordial relationship with the government of Ondo State, the leadership of Akure Branch of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has paid a courtesy calls to the Honourable Commissioner of Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye in his office at Alagbaka, Akure.

While speaking on behalf of the association, the Branch Chairman, Engr Ezekiel Oloruntola said the importance of Engineers in nation’s building can’t be underestimated, noting that they play a vital role on policy formulation, advise on technical issues and infrastructural development.

He commended the Commissioner on his reform and reposition of the Ministry of Justice, Office of the Public Defender and Law Commission to effectively respond to the need of the public.

His words: ”Your stand in the agitation for states to collect and manage Value Added Tax (VAT) generated within the state shows your love and passion for the development of our Sunshine State”.

The Chairman further noted the giant strides of the ministry in the passage of Energy Bill at the State House of Assembly which gave birth to full fledge Ministry of Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources is commendable. “More Engineers are engaged in this ministry and it’s agencies”.

He assured the Commissioner that, the professional body is ready to partner with him through inclusion of Engineers in relevant Engineering related laws, especially in Ondo State Town Planning Law.

Engr Oloruntola told the Commissioner the concern of the body over incessant fire incidence in the state, requesting for a professional assistance in the interpretation of fire service laws as it relates to the leadership and the position of the law in regards to the autonomy of the Fire Service in the state.

He further requested for replication of Public Building and Government Facilities Maintenance Agency in the state in line with the recently signed Executive Order 11 by President Buhari, adding that its domicile in the state will create job opportunities not only to Engineers but to professional bodies.

Welcoming the professional body to his office, Sir Titiloye commended the resilient efforts of Engineers and other professional bodies in the development of the state since inception of Arakunrin Akeredolu led administration
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He charged them to join active politics, noting that professionals are needed to be actively involved in policy making and implementation, asking them not to leave it in hands of professional politicians that see politics as occupation.

” You can see the different yourself under Governor Akeredolu when compare to other states of the federation; what we are able to achieved was because our governor is a professional and saw the need to appoint professionals in core government ministries and agencies”.

He charged the body to be proactive, saying they have big roles to play most especially during this era of technology advancement, while thanking them for their observations on the reform at the ministry, he said sanctity could only be brought to the society if both the leaders and followers do the right thing.

He commended the governor for allowing the ministry to worked out Energy Laws and eventual creation of a full fledged ministry to oversee the affairs of power generation in the state.

“Ondo State Government constituted a Board in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy in bringing all stakeholders together including Engineers for effective and efficient energy distributions in Ondo State. The Energy Laws prevented erractic estimated billings without electricity among other benefits”.

He assured the body of review of the Town Planning Law of the state and enforcement of already existing laws, frowning at the manner some land agents are selling government allocated lands for another means far from what it ought to have served.

The commissioner promised to look into the request of the Engineers on Fire Service, Town Planning Law, asking them to collaborate with other sister ministries for further deliberation.