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Fiji’s President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau says good quality engineering is one of the primary means of resisting the forces of nature in its various forms like earthquakes, cyclones, drought, sea level-rise and tsunamis.
Nailatikau made the comment while launching the South Pacific Engineering Association (SPEA) in Suva saying the body gives its six regional member countries the potential to grow.
He said our survival means being able to resist the forces of nature and protect the safety of the people, our homes and the systems we depend on for food and livelihood.
“Well engineered systems will suffer little damage and enable us, at will, to move people to places where they want to go or to move resources to areas where they will be most needed.”
He however noted the lack of qualified inspectors to enforce standards.
“We need to identify our competent engineers and support them to consistently apply good standards using their professional judgment.”
Nailatikau said that with its size and its anticipated greater ability to influence, the association has the potential to make a very real difference in the region.
The member countries are Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Tom Tinai of Samoa was elected president.
The SPEA is expected to assist national bodies improve engineering standards in water supply, waste treatment, power supply, transportation and telecommunications.
Nailatikau believes the initiative will demand the achievement and the maintenance of the consistent application of good engineering standards, in both publicly owned infrastructures and also in private assets.
“The association could also have an important role as an advisor to government – we need the wisdom and expertise of engineers to ensure that our public financial capital is well-applied and ensure received aid is used accountably,” he added.
