Quackery: An Erosion of Standards and Best Practices in Construction Industry

By Muslihudeen Olayinka IBRAHIM

Quackery is the act of practices by an individuals, organisations or companies engaging in a services or unethical involvement or claiming an expertise in an area where they do not have qualifications or possesses the required training.

Listen! Quackery could happen within the same industry, say a registered chemical engineer claiming to have expertise in construction because he’s a registered Engineer. Architect claiming to be a structural engineer, a Land Surveyor posing as a Quantity Surveyor because their line of responsibilities seems interrelated.

In COREN, there are 4cadres in the pyramid of hierarchy recognized. Engineers, Technologists, Technicians, Craftsmen, each of this cadre’s level of education, training, and years of experience differs. Hence, their level of responsibility is different. Craftsman would not lead a team where Technician is, Technologist would not assume the position meant for an Engineer.

No doubt, this has eaten deep into some professions especially Engineering, Construction Industry is so susceptible that it is very tasking to distinguish between genuine professionals and unqualified individuals. This lack of expertise has hindered the safety, quality, and operational standards.
Engaging with quacks or participating in quackery poses obvious risks to safety, reputation, project success, and resource utilization, loss of lives and property, and potential litigation. e.t.c

Aside Impersonation, Falsifying Credentials and Certificates, Practicing without License, Building against Codes of standards, Breaching oath of secrecy and Unethical divulging of information, Misrepresentation among others are equally forms of quackery.

Curtailing this quackery menace, stakeholders in the built-in environment have to play their respective roles.

* COREN should further empower Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM) team in discharging their duties, some of this teams at states level are not Mobile and adequately equipped with necessary tools to perform optimally

* Qualified Professionals should shun sharp practices, follow the operational standards, and protect the ethics of the profession

* Professionals should be up-to-date with the trends in their profession by attending Technical Sessions, Trainings, Workshops and Seminars, Annual General Meetings and Conferences

* Annual practicing license renewal is very important, it’s every practicing professionals responsibility and distinguishes you from quackery.

* Clients should be aware the cost of hiring quacks is as doubled as hiring professionals. Hence, jettison the act of cutting cost at the detriment of safety and quality.

* Council like COREN, Professional bodies like NSE, Institutions like NICE, NistructE e.t.c, should rise to the challenge by formulating a working policies, channel it to government for support and strict compliance.

* A continuous public awareness, enlightenment to further educate the citizens and prospective clients of the risks in quackery engagement.

* Government at all levels especially the state government should ensure professional’s interests are protected, creating an enabling environment for professionals to thrive and grow, Lagos State Government is a perfect leading example in this regard, practicing registered engineers in Lagos State are now proud of the state government, other states should take a cue from it.

Curtailing quackery menace in construction industry is a duty that we all owe! Play your Part!
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Engr. Muslihudeen Olayinka IBRAHIM MNSE, MNICE, Reg. COREN