By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi says that the government appreciates the critical role that engineering professionals continue to play in promoting economic growth and aiding the development of the country.
Mr Chimupi said the government understands that the success of infrastructure development depends on the effectiveness of the engineering profession. He was speaking when he launched the African Engineering Week yesterday at Chingola Golf Club in Chingola.
He said the New Dawn government has introduced the Ministry of Science and Technology to complement the Ministry of Information, Housing, and Urban Development.
“My office stands ready to support engineering professionals in carrying out its mandate of regulating and promoting the engineering profession. The engineering institution has more than 70,000 engineering professionals who are registered with the institution. With this number, I trust that we have well-trained, talented, and experienced engineering professionals in different engineering disciplines to aid development in the country,” he said.
He urged engineers to be innovative and free to showcase their skills through various projects, and the government is willing to buy into these ideas once they are made available.
The Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) Chingola Branch Chairperson, Osward Mukosha, said that African Engineering Week was initiated to increase the visibility of engineering and its role in sustainable development in Africa.
Mr. Mukosha said African Engineering Day is an opportunity to promote the profession to young people and stimulate their interest in taking it up. He said it is also an opportunity to exhibit the functions of the institution and the benefits that come with being a member.
“During this week, we will explain all engineering-related issues and answer numerous questions, as well as educate the public on how critical the profession is to economic development,” he said.
This year, the theme is ‘Celebrating and Growing Engineering Excellence in the African Region.’
