COREN, ICPC setup joint task team to investigative, prosecute offenders

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), said the two are setting up a joint task team to checkmate investigate and prosecute engineering offenders in country .
The President of COREN Engr. Ali Rabiu made the disclosure in a statement issued by Head, Public Relations Department, COREN Mrs Ojonugwa Haruna, in yesterday in Abuja.
Engr. Rabiu spoke when he visited the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), Prof. Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye
According to him, COREN is the ethical court for engineers with the vision to promote and ensure the highest standards of professionalism in engineering practice in the country.
“It is therefore my suggestion that ICPC and COREN create a task team to review the 2014, MOU for possible update and enhancement.
“I believe this marks a positive milestone in our robust relationship and that it will also strengthen the partnership between ICPC and COREN.”
He said the council had been empowered by law, adding that the implementation of the powers of COREN, directly and indirectly meant increased cases of investigations and prosecutions of offenders.
He stated that the council has being empowered to regulate and control engineering practice in Nigeria in all aspects and prosecute any person or firm that contravenes the provision of the Act in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“ICPC also seeks to free Nigeria of all forms of corruption and practices.
“The coming together of these two important organs of government (ICPC and COREN) as partners to achieve the major objectives of their creation is an initiative that must be commended”,Engr. Rabiu said
He pointed out that,COREN is now empowered to determine who engineering practitioners are, what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become registered as engineers.
The Council president said “it is my hope that our partnership will positively contribute to the industrial and socio-economic growth of our Nation as we eradicate all abnormalities including corruption in engineering practice”.
Peoples Daily recalled that On 16th of May, 2014, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and COREN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreed to go into partnership for the purposes of investigation of offenders of corrupt practices, among others.