GENERAL

THE Lagos Chapter, Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) has appealed to the Federal Government to purchase made-in-Nigeria cars for political office holders and its agencies, to revamp the automobile industry.

The chapter Chairman, Mr Abdulganiyu Tiamiyu, made the call on Monday at a press conference and training organised as part of activities to mark the 2022 Engineering Week of the institution in Lagos.

Tiamiyu said government policies on the automobile industry were not consistent, thereby affecting its growth locally.

He called for a review of the nation’s Automobile Policy to make federal government and its agencies purchase and use made-in-Nigeria cars.

This,  he said, would encourage other citizens to patronise the sector.

He said that the Nigerian Society of Engineers and its divisions had been clamouring for the federal government to make the local content laws more viable.

According to him, they can do this by engaging local engineers and patronising home made products.

“Government policies are usually partially implemented or not implemented at all.

“That is why we are calling on more engineers to go into politics; it is government policies that have affected the automobile industry,” he said.

Tiamiyu said the theme for the 2022 Engineering Week dealt with the adoption  of standards in all sectors in the nation, to reduce all forms of accidents and disasters.

He said that on Tuesday, experts would speak on “the consequences of using sub standard spare parts for vehicle maintenance”.

The chairman said experts from transportation and other sectors, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and other industries, would profer solutions to issues of standards enforcement in Nigeria.

He listed other programmes lined up for the Engineering Week to include elders forum on Wednesday and Annual General Meeting on Thursday.

A former Chairman, NIMechE Lagos Chapter, Mr Segun Fadeyi, also commented on the  automobile industry.

He said Nigeria could only make progress in the area of automotive assembly if the federal government believed in the capacity of local engineers.

Fadeyi recalled that in the 90s, Leyland Motors had an assembly plant for Range Rovers, but the then government of President Olusegun Obasanjo still imported the vehicle brand.

He said the government did this instead of patronising the local assembly to grow the sector.

Fadeyi said that the trend had continued with politicians importing cars.

He supported the call for more engineers to go into politics so as to drive policies that would accelerate development of the nation’s infrastructure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a technical training was organised for the engineers, technicians and plumbers.

Delivering a lecture at the session, Mr Micheal Adegbite, a facilitator from Geberit Nigeria Ltd, encouraged engineers, technicians and Nigerians in general to use quality materials and adhere to standards.

He spoke on the topic “the importance of piping and plumbing in facilities”.

Adegbite said adherence to standards during piping and plumbing in facilities was  important to ensure quality project delivery.

“Plumbing has to do with water supply, use and discharge while piping can be used for both fluid and gas movement in industries.

“We are looking at standards; good plumbing gives the users, engineers and owners rest of mind giving the desired results.

“If you use the right materials, it saves energy, time and money,” he said. (NAN)

KN

Tags: Abdulganiyu Tiamiyu NIMechE Olusegun Obasanjo Segun Fadeyi