By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) on Thursday inducted 214 new members into the Extractive Industries at a ceremony presided by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite in Abuja.
The new members qualified for the 11th induction ceremony after they had passed the 2021 Mandatory Professional examination conducted by COMEG and a follow up online one for those who could not participate physically.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of COMEG, Dr Ebimotimi Okpoi said training and induction of professionals had become necessary in order to properly identify and register genuine mining engineers with the aim of reducing the incidence of quackery.
He said, “the Council is fighting quackery in the profession that have taken over your position in the extractive industries and in reducing the level of quackery in the field a lot need to be done and a lot of capital is required. I am so happy to be here on this august occasion to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of today’s inductees.
“There are so many gains for each and everyone of you when you are part of the family of professionals in the extractive industries. I know so many of you complained of the amount paid to become registered. Yes it is not the Council’s fault it is the prevailing circumstances we found ourselves in Nigeria. There is a saying that “if you think education is expensive try ignorance”.
The Chairman who charged the inductees to be good ambassador of the profession, added, “you must practise within the ambit of the rules and regulations under which you are inducted”.
According to him, athough the ceremony which is an annual event that takes place every December, it could not hold last last year centrally but in some designated zones – as a results of the outbreak of Convid-19 pandemic that ground all the activities.
Oat taking of the inductees was administered by COMEG Registrar, Prof Zacheus Opafunso and NMGS President, Mr Alabo Charles.
The Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) is a body that is empowered by Federal law to regulate the training of professionals practise as mining engineers and geoscientists.
It was established in 1990 when the COMEG Act (now CAP C33 LFN 2004) was promulgated. The Council’s responsibilities include:
*Prescribing and enforcing the minimum standards of education and experience to be obtained by persons qualified to practice as Registered Mining Engineers, Geoscientists and other professionals.
*Prescribing and enforcing the code of conduct of Registered Mining Engineers, Geoscientists and other professionals. The establishment and maintenance of register of persons entitled to practice as Mining Engineers, Geoscientists and related professionals, and reviews the standards from time to time, as circumstances may require.
*Regulating and controlling the practice of Mining Engineering, Geosciences and related professions, in all its aspects and ramifications; Maintaining discipline in the profession in accordance with the Act, among others.
COMEG which is the foremost regulator in the Nigeria’s Extractive Industry has presently, carried out the 2021 accreditation exercise of Programmes in Tertiary Institutions that offèr courses under its control.
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