-From Ifeoma Ejiofor
In a bold move to curb incessant building and infrastructure collapse in the country, Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers in collaboration with National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Tuesday 26th June 2025 held a sensitization workshop for artesians in the industrial town of Nnewi.
The workshop was actually taken to the Artesian Market by the organisers to ensure maximum attendance and impact on the targeted audience.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Engr High Chief Alex Ifeagwazi said that the workshop was aimed at sensitizing the Artesians against sharp practices and improved workmanship while carrying out their roles as builders.
“We carefully targeted the concrete casters bricklayers, Fitters, carpenters, diggers and other artesians to educate them on the special roles they have to play to put paid to incessant building/ infrastructure collapse in Nigeria.
“The importance of having balanced mixture of concrete was highlighted and the need for artesians to demand that a civil engineer is on site with them.
“As you observed, a bricklayer during the workshop recounted his experience with someone he was building for who insisted that he should put more sand than specification while mixing concrete or else look for job else where.
“But, we encouraged the artesians to insist on doing the right thing towards putting an end to the incessant infrastructure collapse which is a collective responsibility, and if all the stakeholders/ professionals especially the artesians do their work well, we will be on the road to successful fight against building/ infrastructure collapse.” Engr High Chief Ifeagwazi asserted.
Mrs Chika Ufele, the Cordinator, Anambra State National Directorate of Employment also presented her address at the occasion.
The chairman of Nnewi Artisans, Mr Paul Orabuenyi in his comments, thanked the organizers of the sensitization workshop to their domain.
He assured that all the useful hints on professionalism made available to him and his members would be judiciously put to practice.