COREN, NIWA Move to Strengthen Enforcement of Engineering Standards in Waterways
Abuja — The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) took a significant step toward enhanced inter-agency cooperation on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to address non-compliance issues within Nigeria’s inland waterways.
A delegation from NIWA, led by Mrs. Tracy Obienu, was received in audience by the leadership of COREN at the Council’s Headquarters in Abuja. The core focus of the discussion was the stringent enforcement of statutory requirements for engineering and construction activities within NIWA’s rights-of-way and inland waterways corridors.
Addressing Non-Compliance Concerns
NIWA initiated the visit following persistent concerns over engineering and construction companies operating in these sensitive aquatic environments without full adherence to national regulatory frameworks. The Authority sought COREN’s intervention to ensure professional discipline, accountability, and safety standards are maintained.
The President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Z. Abubakar, FNSE, FAEng, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as a crucial development for deeper synergy between the two bodies. He revealed that COREN had already been proactive on the issue, including earlier deliberations with the Managing Director of NIWA.
Towards a Unified Regulatory Force
Professor Abubakar highlighted the mutual agreement that effective, long-term implementation of stronger enforcement would require formalized coordination. This coordination is planned to take the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Furthermore, he suggested expanding the collaboration to include a third major player: the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
“Bringing the three agencies together might just create the kind of strong, unified force needed for monitoring and enforcement across the maritime and inland waterways space,” the COREN President noted, recognizing the overlapping regulatory mandates in the maritime sector.
COREN’s Regulatory Role
Contributing to the meeting, the Registrar of COREN, Engr. Prof. Okorie Austin Uche, FNICE, provided a brief overview of COREN’s Engineering Regulation, Monitoring, and Enforcement (ERM&E) role. He emphasized how this regulatory function directly aligns with NIWA’s mandate, particularly concerning engineering activities related to maritime infrastructure.
The meeting successfully reinforced the shared commitment of COREN and NIWA to professional discipline, safeguarding Nigeria’s vital waterways, and building a more cohesive regulatory environment for engineering practice in the country.
Source: https://coren.gov.ng/category/coren-news/page/2/
