By Michael Ovat
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) has advocated collaboration with the Anambra State government as part of its mandate to foster collaboration between the engineering profession and government, especially, in the area of job opportunities (contract) for it teaming members.
The body made the call during it courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Housing, Arc Henry Arinze, at the State Secretariat in Awka, on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026.
The delegation was led by the Chairman of NICE Awka Chapter, Engr. Obiudu Chidi, and compromises past Chairmen of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Awka Branch, Chapter EXCOs, members, graduate engineers and Civil Engineering students.
They lamented that the influx of quack civil engineers into Anambra has adversely affected them as core professionals, which is why the visit was necessary to brainstorm with the present administration of governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo through the State Ministry of Housing on how to address the challenges.
The NICE Awka Chapter reaffirmed its commitment to partner with the Anambra Government in delivering professional engineering solutions that will drive infrastructure development and affordable housing across the state.
Speaking further during his opening remark, the Awka Chapter Chairman of NICE, Engr Chidi also said the essence of the visit was to bring all the qualified practitioners of civil engineering in Anambra State into one roof to work collaboratively with the government to further develop the sector.
According to Chidi, the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) is fully committed and ready to partner with the Anambra government to monitor the activities of quack civil engineers and to curb the menace of bridge and other road collapse incidents in the state.
“The collaboration if implemented will also create job opportunities for our teaming professional members across the state.
“The visit was also conceived out of the need to bridge the gap between NICE and the state government in order to consciously work in synergy to address the above mentioned challenges distorting the smooth practicing of the profession in the state.
He equally highlighted three-point agenda as major aim for the visit which includes: “To congratulate and Identify with the Ministry, to offer professional partnership and to explore areas of collaboration. All aimed at gainfully engaging the services of certified civil engineers and discouraging quackery in the system
Engr Chidi commended governor Soludo for employing the services of indigenous contractors for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state since inception of his administration in 2022.
In his technical paper presentation titled, “Effect of Water–Cement Ratio and Laterite Particle Size on the Strength and Workability of Laterite–Cement Blocks”, the Secretary of NICE Awka chapter, Engr. Collins Okoli, highlighted that the alternative building material “Laterite-Cement Blocks” offers the state government an opportunity to reduce construction costs by up to 50 percent compared to conventional Sandcrete blocks, without compromising on strength and durability.
He emphasized that adopting this technology aligns with the state’s drive for affordable and sustainable housing.
The State Commissioner for Housing, Arc Henry Arinze, in his welcome speech, commended NICE Awka Chapter for the initiative and the depth of research presented.
He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s willingness to explore partnership opportunities, pilot the use of Laterite-Cement Blocks in government housing projects and support engineering innovations that promote cost efficiency and local content.
He promised to conveyed the NICE request to the governor for possible consideration.
Other notable members of the delegation included *Engr. Cyril Anetoh and Engr. S.I. Ofordile, both past Chairmen of NSE Awka Branch, in their separate goodwill remarks pledged the Institution’s continued support to the Ministry’s housing agenda.
The visit also featured on-the-spot inspection of the ongoing Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE Awka Branch Secretariat project.
