SUBJECT MATTER: COREN Project Control Form (PCF): a prerequisite for approval of any construction works by State Development Control Establishments
BACKGROUND:
COREN is an Agency set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the mandate to regulate the practice of Engineering in all aspects and ramifications. In the same vein, section 21A of the Engineers (Registration, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2018 charged COREN through ERM, with the duties of Regulating, Controlling and Ensuring/Enforcing that Engineering is practiced in Nigeria in accordance with relevant codes of engineering practice in the protection of her National Development and Economic Investment. We are also to enforce maintenance of discipline and strict standards of ethics in the practice of the engineering profession in Nigeria and foster speedy acquisition of all relevant engineering and technological skills required to accelerate developmental efforts and effect speedy modernization.
By the ERM Operational guidelines, there shall be a National Technical Committee (NTC) and a National Expatriate Monitoring Committee (NEMC). Likewise, at the State level, State Technical Committee (STC) and State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (SEMC) are to implement policies formulated at the National level and they are to sensitize the State on COREN activities among others.
ERM operates using sectorial approach with emphasis on eleven Sectors at the moment:
Civil Sector b. Mechanical Sector
c. Chemical / mineral Sector d. Electrical / Electronic Sector
Agricultural sector
Each State determines the number of sectors to focus on based on the available economic resources. We are currently operating only on Civil, Mechanical, Electrical / Electronic and Agricultural Sectors.
CURRENT REALITIES
On March 30, 2023, during the event of issuing of the Independent National Electoral Commission Certificate of Return to His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, at the Bon Platinum Hotel in Enugu, a loud bang was said to have been heard within the building, which caused panic and stampede among the guests and staff;
On September 1, 2023, a building that collapse at Mgbemene Coal Camp claimed about four lives.
On September 23, 2023, a 2-storey building collapsed at No.7 Okorigwe Street, Emene, Enugu.
The most recent collapse of the Asata-River Bridge across the Enugu Port-Harcourt Express Way on September 25, 2023 are some of the recorded cases.
In the inauguration speech of STC on ERM of COREN it has always been stated that there will be no tolerance for quackery and and the STC on ERM of COREN should come up with stringent regulation that will guide the ethics and practices of the profession, as well as adherence to project specifications.
A vital part of enforcing best practice in engineering is ensuring that only registered and licensed practitioners are engaged for any engineering job: Engineering personnel and Firms in Engineering Consulting, Engineering Contracting, those in Manufacturing, fabrication, Vendoring of Engineering Materials, among others are all required to meet the minimum requirements for practice and then obtain their Practicing License before engaging in any engineering practice in Nigeria. Any practitioner engaged in engineering without a valid practicing license runs afoul of the law. It is our ardent request that all South-east States Governors of insist that all Building Control establishments and indeed all Engineering based Organizations in the State where engineering services is being carried out, comply with the law.
The PCF Form (duplicated from Anambra STC on ERM of COREN) is proposed to be introduced to all State Capital Territory Development Authority, the Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning and the Local Government Service Commissions with a view to getting them to appreciate its efficacy in tracking all construction sites from conception, in our collective efforts to stem this tide of collapsing of new engineering infrastructure. Efforts will also be made to carry out backward integration on older buildings with a view to ascertaining their structural integrity.
CONSIDERATION
The Chairman of the South-east Regional Steering Committee, COREN could see the distress that we are in, how collapsing of engineering infrastructure make South-east region lies in waste. There is therefore need for all the South-east Region STCs on ERM of COREN, in line with its mandate, to ensure that engineering practice in their respective States continues to meet global best practice by having an operational STC and SEMC of ERM in the State.
PROPOSED ACTION
Project Control Form should be obtained and completed at the States COREN Offices. The PCF will provide:
Particulars of the proposed development including the Owner and Location;
Particulars of the Design and Supervising Engineer;
Obligation by the Owner and the Supervising Engineer to build according to drawings and specifications / designs; and
To promptly report in writing to the STC on ERM of COREN of any changes;
The STCs on ERM of COREN will from then follow up the project after reviewing the design for compliance with all relevant engineering codes. A sample of the PCF is hereby attached.
BUDGETARY PROVISIONS
There will be processing fee and fines as in the table below, to be paid to the STC on ERM of COREN
1
PCF Form
Description
N
Obtaining PCF Form for Residential Building
50,000.00.
Obtaining PCF Form for Commercial Building
50,000.00.
Obtaining PCF Form for Industrial Building
100,000.00.
2: Offences:
Only Construction Drawings duly endorsed by the Development Controller is acceptable.
Construction Site without COREN Registered Engineer
50,000.00.
Construction Site with approved Designs but no COREN Registered Engineer
50,000.00.
If Approved Design is available but not being implemented on the site
500,000.00 .
Work can only be allowed to continue when the right things are seen to have been done.
PRAYER:
Chairman of the South-east Regional Steering Committee, COREN is invited to:-
Note that so far the extant laws made to mitigate against incessant collapsing of engineering infrastructure are not being enforced
AND
Approve that the STCs on ERM of COREN Project Control Form be accepted as a precursor to relevant Development Controllers’ (Ministries of Lands, State Capital Territory Development Authorities and the Local Government Councils of the South-east States) permission to construct order.
Engr. B. Ndidi Edeh, FNSE
Chairman ENSTC on ERM of COREN