By Bill W. Cooper
Liberian engineers under the banner “Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) will tomorrow join the rest of the world in commemorating the World Engineering Day (WED) which is yearly celebrated on March 4.
The 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.
Making the disclosure of the celebration yesterday in an exclusive interview with this paper, the ESOL Assistant Secretary General, Jocelia J. Taplah revealed that this year’s celebration will be celebrated under the global theme: “Engineering for a Health planet” as well as the local theme: “No Engineering will be left behind.”
Ms. Tarplah added that the celebration will commence with a grand parade from the MPW in Central Monrovia to the National Legislature and then to the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) where the official indoor program will be held.
She further indicated that the celebration will also witness the presence of all past retired and present engineers as well as engineering students from various Universities across Liberia.
She however called on all engineers across the 15 counties of Liberia to form part of what she termed as an historic celebration for all engineers in Liberia.
Also speaking to this paper, the ESOL Board Chairperson, Director Jacob Fayiah further stated that as part of their grand celebration, the engineers of Liberia will present a petition to the National Legislature calling for speedy legislation of the ESOL.
According to him, their decision to petition the National Legislature is triggered by the fact that Liberian engineers are not being recognized by other international engineering bodies that had also been faced with numerous challenges, and as such, there is a need for the ESOL to be legislated.
He added that when the ESOL is legislated, it will enable that body to checkmate and regulate its registered members as has been done with the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) among others, noting that it will also enable them to take full responsibility for engineers’ action in case of any damage by members while doing the client’s job.
Mr. Fayiah further intoned, “If we are legislated by our lawmakers, Liberians can be assured that no engineer across Liberia will ever engage or practice engineering without being a member of the ESOL.”
Meanwhile, the ESOL Board chairperson further noted that tomorrow’s celebration will further enable them observe the ESOL’s achievement and regulate their challenges as an organization.