By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

AS part of measures to tackle the infrastructure decay and enhance development, the Lagos State Government has advised young engineers to explore the vast opportunities in different sectors of engineering to bring about needed development.

Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Wasiu Olokunola, an engineer, who gave this advice while delivering a paper entitled “Entrepren-eurship Opportunities in the Civil Engineering Profession” at a conference held for civil engineers in the state, said there are abundant demands for various consultancy services and other small-scale productions, especially in developing economy like Nigeria which are being ignored currently.

According to Olokunola: “The country is still developing, hence there is ample opportunities for engineers that have flair for structural engineering works as private consultants to home owners, commercial and government establi-shments”. Listing other areas of engineering that offer immense opport-unities, Olokunola said recycling of materials like steel concrete, asphalts, plastics and tyres allows engineers to establish material engineering clinics, mini-foundry centres and also identification and testing of engineering materials.

Describing infrast-ructure facility management engineering as an unexplored area, the PS explained that the numerous housing estates, private and government owned, offer enterprising young engineers an opportunity for self employment as facility engineers.

He, therefore, suggested that establishment of mobile material laboratory using basic non-destructive test machines like Schmidt hammers, concrete resistance detectors provide employment opportunities, just as he noted that undertaking estimation for civil engineering projects and leasing out specialists service iron engineering technology are opportunities too.

The PS who is also a chief examiner for the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, said the green engineering concept is also a veritable opportunity. While stating that most of the areas require limited funding investment, he explained that managing an enterprise requires ‘techniques, attitude and politics, TAP, which is key to success.

He further noted that imagination and creativity are not learnt in school but are critical to the sustenance of any enterprise. He added that these must be matched with general management skills, business know-how and networks.

Commenting on the topic, Senator Tony Adefuye said that every engineer requires the period of tutelage with a successful entrepreneur where he will learn and acquire the skills that will birth a new business. He stated that there is a need for a concerted design for mentoring of young engineers as a means of integrating them into the process of engagement.