By Bill W. Cooper
Former Information Minister, Lewis Brown has admonished Liberian engineers through the Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) to unite and take the rebuilding and developing process of Liberia into their own hands if they, as engineers want to see a better Liberia for everyone.
He intoned that engineers are the backbones of every nation’s growth and development, as such, there is need for past, present and soon to be graduated engineers to unite and help in the rebuilding process of Liberia.
Speaking when he served as guest speaker during the commemoration of the ‘World Engineering Day’ on Thursday, March 4, in Monrovia, Mr. Brown among other things explained that the engineering field is not just an easy field like others, indicating that it requires all of the engineers’ effort and time to envision what doesn’t seem to already exist for the betterment of the country.
However, March 4 of every year was set aside by UNESCO as a special day to be celebrated as ‘Engineering Day’ for all engineers around the world and use the occasion to raise awareness about the value of engineers as this year’s global theme : “Engineering for a Healthy Planet” as well as the local theme: “No Engineer left Behind.”
According to him, an engineer by heart is an inventor whose mission is to make life better beyond man’s common imagination, emphasizing that it is time for Liberian engineers to think outside of the box and help put Liberia on par with other comity of nations.
He added, “Any country that continue to outsource engineers which is the bedrock for rapid development, that country is on the path of falling but because you as engineers are the fundamental pillars for Liberia’s development and progress and I believe together, we can do better; we can do more and we can develop our country all by ourselves.”
Mr. Brown however stressed the need for the ESOL to incorporate more women, noting that women too have the ability to lead and transform an organization. He also called on the ESOL to also hold its members in public service accountable.
Meanwhile, the Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) has petitioned the National Legislature calling for the speedy legislation of the ESOL so as to enable the organization to operate smoothly and regulate its members.
Presenting the petition to lawmakers on behalf of the institution, a member of the Board of Directors, Prince Tambah, said that the ESOL’s exclusive objective is to help contribute to the national development of the country, improve, regulate and standardize the practices of engineering in Liberia.
According to him, the institution, when legislated will also help in other areas like training, research and innovation as well as development of engineering curriculum and public safety including the developing of the code of ethics and guidelines to regulate all institutions and individual members practicing the art and science of engineering within Liberia.
He added, “We serve and/or assist all government agencies and private institutions in executing codes and standards used in the practice of engineering in Liberia. We will also have the authority to establish, regulate and license all subsidiary engineering groups within Liberia.”
The Liberia Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) was founded in the 1970s by several retired engineers from the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) who saw the need that past and present engineers group themselves under one banner for the sole purpose of regulating each and every engineer in the country and since its founding, the ESOL is yet to be legislated.