The Board  of  Governors of the Institute  Of Appraisers And Cost Engineers led by the Chairman, Engr. (Chief) Giandomenico  Massari  FNSE (JP), paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister Of  State Federal Capital Territory (FCT),  Navy Captain Caleb  Olubolade  (rtd) at his office on Thursday 3rd February 2011. The meeting commenced at 12:30pm with the  IACE Chairman conducting the introductions and going further to  brief the Minister on what the courtesy visit was about and what the Institute stands for.

After warmly welcoming the representatives of the IACE, the Minister suggested that the Chairman IACE help confirm if his name was indeed in the membership list of the NSE (Nigerian Society Of Engineers) since he has been a practicing Engineer from his days in the Nigerian Navy in the Weapons/Electrical  department from 1981.The Chairman IACE stated his intention to oblige the Minister immediately.

The Minister then spoke about his desire to get more Engineers  involved in projects and construction endeavours taking place nationwide without altogether being too reliant on the foreign construction companies. The point was to get our own indigenous professionals to get up to speed in specialization in respect to their foreign counterparts  and hence enhance the nation’s pool of trusted, competent and qualified Engineers. With  that said foreign technical input will also be welcomed; but as an advisory role and also to  integrate the ever changing face of technological advancement.

Elaborating on his dreams for the FCT and Nigeria in general, the Minister went on to elucidate on his well laid out plans to include providing facilities for local artisans and craftsmen in the area of skill acquisition and specialization. This he said would directly have a positive impact in the area of employment generation and checkmate incompetence in  construction and building.

The Minister rounded off by pledging to operate an open door policy  and promised his offices unending cooperation with the Institute. He then assured the IACE  that he would send some Engineers for some upcoming training programmes.

The meeting came to an end at 1:15pm with the presentation of a bag, flier, membership register and  some recent publications  from the IACE to the Honourable Minister