The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on safety engineers to develop policies and frameworks that will drive development in the state, assuring them that his administration is ready to study their recommendations and translate relevant resolutions into actionable policies.
He made the call recently at the opening of the annual conference and 10th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISE), held in Port Harcourt.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Prof. Temple C. Nwofor, described Rivers State as peaceful, safe and hospitable, noting that the conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between government and professionals in the safety engineering sector.
He stated his administration’s commitment to completing projects initiated under its leadership before leaving office, stressing the importance of continuity in infrastructure development.
He also observed that although the work of safety engineers may not always be visible, it has far-reaching implications for virtually every sector of society, noting that adherence to safety standards had contributed to the state’s development efforts, particularly in opening up rural communities through the construction of roads and bridges.
“Building a Rivers State our children will be proud to inherit requires every sector working together”, the governor said, and urged safety engineers to think critically about how to deepen collaboration with government and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, Engr. Andrew Abanum, said the conference was designed to explore ways of advancing the practice of safety engineering, promoting professional excellence and renewing discussions on building a safer society.
He emphasised that safety engineering remained fundamental to the sustainability of the various modes of transportation in the country.
Engr. Abanum also highlighted some of the achievements recorded by his administration in the institution, including an increase in membership, the establishment of new chapters, mentorship programmes for student bodies, and efforts to promote professional excellence and strengthen the relevance of safety engineering.
In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and National President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ali Alimaisuya Rabiu, represented by Engr. Giandomerico Masari, described transportation safety as critical to national productivity, economic growth and social development.
He noted that while efficiency was important to the various modes of transportation, safety remained indispensable.
Engr. Rabiu, therefore, urged safety engineers to move beyond viewing transportation safety as an isolated responsibility and instead embrace a sector-wide approach that recognises the interconnectedness of the various transportation systems.
He called for the development of an integrated safety framework that would promote coordination, strengthen safety standards and enhance the overall efficiency and reliability of the transportation sector.
The conference attracted experts and industry stakeholders from the oil and gas and transportation sectors, as well as academics and students.
Activities at the event included plenary session, technical lectures, the cutting of an anniversary cake to commemorate the institution’s 10th anniversary, and cultural performances.
- Wokoma is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Works.