Engineering Resource Centre
On Saturday 31st of March, 2007 at the Royal Banquet Hall of the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. History was made, when the Nigerian Society of Engineers Port Harcourt branch, led by Engr. B. J. Benibo FNSE launched the first ever multipurpose and multi-complex engineering resource centre in the Niger Delta, Port Harcourt. The occasion which was a replica of a funfair with the Navy Band on stand and a display of magnificent model of the epic centre witnessed the turnout of dignitaries such as the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr. Peter Odili , FNSE, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Works Arc. Julius Urhombo. The Chairman of the occasion was the Executive Director of Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Engr. B. M. Ojum FNSE, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi-Alaibe.
The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Dr. Peter Odili FNSE, opened the launching ceremony with a donation of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million naira).This was followed by a total donation of N10m in parts; N5m was given at instance and N5m as a pledge to redeem the balance of N5m when work on the project eventually commences. Other donors include; Stemco Nigeria Ltd: N1m, Baymdar Nigeria Ltd: N1m, Engr. Chief G. Massari: N300,000.00, Engr. Chief. Dr. Ephram and Engr. Iyo Okojie FNSE: N150,000.00 respectively, Engr B. J. Benebor FNSE Branch Chairman: N100,000.00, Engr. B. M Ograwo: N50,000, Engr Denis Dania N10,000.00 and Engr. Saidu Njidda N50.000 and other numerous donors.
In a welcome address presented by the branch Chairman Engr. B. J. Benibo FNSE at the occasion, the Chairman remarked that as one of the fastest growing branch in the Federation poised and focus driven on the course of engineering development and the numerous activities of the oil and gas industries, the desire is to enhance the professional development of Engineers which cannot be overemphasized. According to the Chairman, to rapidly enhance the profession competence and development of the Nigerian Engineers at all time to meet the ever changing challenges in the technologically changing world aptly inform the establishment of this Engineering Resource Centre. He emphasized the need to rapidly actualize the national content development policy through establishment of this centre and urged all engineers, profession bodies, government and captains of industries to head the clarion call to contribute meaningfully towards the realization of the dream of this resource centre.
