* Postgraduate Students Express Satisfaction with company’s quality of work and performance on Abuja-Kaduna highway
From Osedebamen Isibo
Engineering students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria who came on a two-day excursion visit to the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna highway project, particularly Section 2 of the ever-busy expressway being constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, have lauded the company for the steady pace and high quality of engineering standards being implemented on the road.
The Civil Engineering students’ delegation were of the Masters of Science Degree programme of the university.
Led by Mr Akura Stephen, the students toured the entire Section 2 currently under construction for two days from October 7 through 8. Satisfied with the quality of work being done by Julius Berger, the students wished the company well as it progresses with the project even as they expressed their appreciation to the construction company for the opportunity made available to them to take away “some new knowledge in practical construction work.”
The project’s Site Manager, Engr. Kamal Kaawachi who led other company officials to conduct the students round the project site explained that novel and precision technology was deployed by Julius Berger to further enhance and deliver the excellent and habitual professionalism the company puts into every project it handles to ensure an outcome that testify to international best quality, and on schedule.
Engr. Kamal Kaawachi, an apparently quintessential and delightful Julius Berger engineering professional, conducted the visitors through the cold mixing plant a new technology introduced into the construction industry in Nigeria by Julius Berger. The students also visited the site laboratory where technical integrity tests are conducted on site. Kaawachi lectured the students of the paramount importance of strict compliance to planned programme of works on an engineering project site. He also fielded questions from the ABU students on diverse issues related to the project and the ongoing construction works to the appreciation of the students. In all, it was a memorable field visit and practical master class and professional experience for the visiting students from ABU.
Speaking to media correspondents later on the visit by the students from ABU, the Executive Director Administration of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi said:
“In tandem with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations as a patriotic corporate citizen, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has, amongst other strategies, continued to emphasize and offer pragmatic and progressive support to the nation’s goal of industrial and professional development. We do this through qualitative educational and professional training and development initiatives…this strategic policy, for instance, has consistently informed Julius Berger’s robust involvement with the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) and the NYSC programme of the government.
Management has made its strong support for continuous industrial research, staff training programmes and impartation of technical skills and expertise as well as its deliberate community engagement work a productive pivot of its CSR policy and advocacy. We know by experience that, for education to be functional, productive and helpful to the national development agenda, it must synergize both classroom theories and operational application. It is therefore, in our view, a continuing fulfilment of Julius Berger’s CSR objectives for our company to host the postgraduate engineering students of ABU to our site operations. We are honoured to receive the students.”
Other members of the Julius Berger Plc team that joined Engr. Kaawachi included the Project Coordinator, Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim; Quality Assurance/Quality Control Supervisor Engr. Eghonghon Edovia; Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Supervisor Odivwri Monday; and Engr. Emmanuel Imie of the technical team. Mr. Onome Lucky and Mohammed Umar also accompanied the Julius Berger team to give the visiting students a memorable excursion experience.