Monrovia – Electrical Engineer Harris T. Yuan is calling for the amalgamation of the forces of individual engineers and those with smaller companies so that together they can be a force to reckon with for the reconstruction and construction of Liberia.
Mr. Yuan, who was once the managing director for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), said big engineering firms from outside Liberia are coming and competing for the contracts that Liberian engineers are capable of doing.
He served as the guest speaker Friday, March 15, at program marking the inaugural ceremony of the new crops of leaders of the Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL).
Speaking further, Mr. Yuan, 77, looked back 40 years ago when he and others established the ESOL in 1979 and wondered whether, they have achieved some or all of the aims for which ESOL was established.
“The answer will vary depending on who’s answering. But I am convicted that we still have a lot to do. We have to work together to reduce the number of smaller companies and amalgamate our forces together so we can be able to withstand outsiders,” he stated.
He expressed how proud he is of his professional colleagues, who are working against the odds trying to rebuild and build their war-torn nation in the face of big companies from outside which according to him are doing works that they (Liberian engineers) are capable of doing.
“After 40 years of existence, there is no doubt in my mind that Liberia engineers have left indelible marks on the minds of Liberians,” he stated.
Mr. Yuan urged the new leadership to go all out and encourage young Liberians and more females to take up the engineering profession.
He further urged them to take come up with a design that would be recognized as the Liberian design that this nation can be recognized by on the continent and beyond.
He named Milton and Richards, two Liberian Engineers, whose handiworks are seen on some of the buildings, including the dilapidated E.J. Roye building on Ashmun Street.
He urged the younger engineers to do all they can to be reputable, adding: “You must build on the past and develop original designs that would be uniquely Liberia.”
He admonished his colleague engineers not to be sales persons of other engineers’ works, including selling renewable energy sources.
“Let our designs be signatures of Liberia so that no one will come and accuse us of stealing their designs.
“The ESOL must make available to the younger generation the benefits of our profession. You must protect our profession and set the basis for a plain and level playing field for all,” he told the new leadership.
Speaking after being installed in office, Mr. Thomas Zailee Gonkerwon, president, ESOL, said for the past 40 years, their organization has played a back-seated role and now is the time that they take the driver’s seat.
Gonkerwon, an Electrical Engineer, thanked his fellow engineers for the confidence reposed in him and other leaders for the next two years.
He rolled out his plans for the remaining months of 2019, including finalizing the ESOL constitution and building a website. He also spoke of launching a magazine for ESOL and seeking legislative enactment of the Society.
Also making remarks, ESOL former president, Mr. Hun-Bu Tulay, who is a Water Technician and Specialist, buttressed the keynote speaker by urging the new leadership to create designs and not just be supporting staffs for foreign firms.
Mr. Tulay disclosed that his administration was part of those who reviewed the curriculum for the Engineering Department of the UL and sought funding from the World Bank. Those installed were Mr. Joseph S. Nyuma, vice president, Civil Engineer; Mr. David Wounuah, secretary general, Civil Engineer; Ms. Cecilia G. Davis, assistant secretary, Construction Technologist and Gemologist; Ms. Margaret Sarsih, treasurer, Transportation Engineer; and Mrs. Julia Woart Subah, chaplain, Electrical Engineer.