In a bid to build a stronger Research and Development (R&Ds) in the country, the existing collaboration between the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and RITVALUE Consultants Ltd is taking a sharp growth in incorporating other private sectors in the construction environment in order to having a world class engineering sector in the country. This was demonstrated on Wednesday 05th October 2022 at the Administrative Headquarters of Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nig. Ltd in Abuja when the team from NBRRI and RITVALUE Consultants embarked on a courtesy visit to CCECC Nig. Ltd.
To boost the economy of any country, the engineering sector needs to be alive and active with new innovations, research and development. These are part of the core mandates of NBRRI which also built the driving force of the aim of RITVALUE Consultants.
Speaking on behalf of the DG/CEO of NBRRI, Arch. Tom Umoche, Deputy Director Consultancy, NBRRI appreciated the management of CCECC for the acceptance and warm reception of the team from NBRRI and RITVALUE. He also appreciated the efforts CCECC has made and are making in promoting and developing construction sector in the country.Explaining the purpose of the visit to Mr. Yu Erik, Manager Business Development Department of CCECC who played host to the team, the President/MD of RITVALUE Consultants Ltd, Dr. Taofiq Raimi expressed joy and confidence on the outcome of various construction projects undertaken by CCECC in the country. He appreciated the construction giant on various areas its impact is felt in the country’s infrastructure such as; development of some of Nigeria’s local content, adoption of best practices which has made both government and private sectors patronize CCECC, and the great work CCECC is doing in the aviation, road and rail transport sectors in the country. He then used this means to call on the intervention of CCECC on other areas such as; conversion of Nigeria mineral resources into finished products for construction so as to address the high cost of material importation, assistance in capacity building, promotion and adoption of new technologies and so on.
Speaking on the existing relationship between NBRRI and RITVALUE Consultants, Dr. Raimi explained that the collaboration between the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and RITVALUE Consultants Ltd is one of a special kind that seeks intervention in improving the country’s R&Ds, practicalize research findings and adopt a standard process of capacity building to improve work force and craftsmanship in the construction industry.
This collaboration is taking a dimension of incorporating other notable construction industries to have a solid base and a viable construction environment which will provide a world standard infrastructure in the Road and Build environment of the country.
Explaining further, Dr. Raimi stressed that both organizations have come a long way in addressing issues concerning construction in general in the country and the achievements attained so far through the collaboration.
Stated further, Dr. Raimi explained that the visit is to bring to the notice of CCECC Nig Ltd the level of progress NBRRI and RITVALUE Consultants have achieved through this collaboration and to present the next line of action. He went on to present a 7-point action plan and seeks for the involvement and support of CCECC Nig. Ltd to actualize these plans;
a. Sponsorship and support in research works
b. Having a special magazine for publishing of activities by construction industries quarterly
c. Organizing a special Television/Radio programmes appearance monthly which will feature top personalities in the construction sector.
d. Organizing trainings/capacity building for Managements and Executives in NBRRI/RITVALUE including overseas trainings.
e. Capacity building/training for staff and professionals in NBRRI/RITVALUE
f. To incorporate both organizations in research programmes regularly
g. To assist in Administrative and logistic running.
Appreciating the visit, Mr. Yu Erik stated that CCECC came to Nigeria since 1981 and covered about 30 states of the federation. He explained that CCECC is handling projects in the country in areas of railways, bridges, airports, roads, power and water sectors. He went further to explain that the construction giant has invested and it’s still investing a lot in the country’s economy in areas like Lagos – Ibadan rail project, Ibadan airport project, Transportation University, Daura, Kastina State. Also, CCECC has built an indigenous assembling plant for assembling of locomotives and coaches for train in Nigeria and are working toward local manufacturing in the country which will help to address the high cost of importation of materials.
Mr. Yu Erik finalized that this special visit and request from the team shall be studied and response will be sent across in no distance time but gave a strong assurance of positive response from management of CCECC in areas of collaboration as he stated that CCECC is always looking forward for research collaborations from big agencies such as NBRRI and RITVALUE.