Participants posed in a group picture
By Neba Jerome Ambe
Civil Engineers in Cameroon’s North West Region have taken a decisive step toward professional cohesion and ethical practice, following the first-ever regional assembly of the National Order of Civil Engineers, held on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The meeting, which brought together senior professionals, young engineers, and newly graduated members, was convened to strengthen professional ties, promote mentorship, and improve access to employment opportunities in a Region grappling with prolonged socio-economic challenges.
Speaking during the assembly, Engineer Akumawah Julius, Regional Representative of the National Order of Civil Engineers for the North West, said the gathering was designed as a platform for engineers to know one another and build a functional professional network that benefits both practitioners and the wider society.
“This first regional meeting was about coming together; old faces, new faces, and young engineers, so that when new professionals emerge, they already have a support system,” he explained. “We also brought in economic operators to help young engineers understand where opportunities exist and how they can integrate into the job market.”
Beyond networking, discussions focused on professional ethics, public safety, and technical standards, particularly in the issuance of building permits at the Bamenda City Council. Engineers reviewed best practices in structural analysis, with emphasis on controlling and certifying complex structures such as storage facilities, rather than ordinary residential buildings.
Engineer Akumawah Julius talking to his colleagues
Engineer Akumawah stressed that in the current fragile context of the North West Region, the responsibility of engineers goes beyond design and construction.
“In these difficult moments, the engineer must be at the service of everybody. With the increasing number of engineers graduating, especially from institutions like the National Polytechnic in Bambili, we must strictly uphold our code of conduct to protect lives and property,” he said.
The assembly also examined emerging engineering solutions to environmental risks, including landslides. Particular attention was given to new slope stabilization technologies being introduced by Chinese engineers at La Falaise-du-Dschang, following recent landslide incidents along the Douala–Bafoussam axis.
According to the regional leadership, plans are underway for a collective site visit to better understand the technology and disseminate the knowledge across the region to enhance local capacity.
Young engineers and recent graduates welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and empowering. Lemsah Justina, a newly graduated engineer, said the meeting reinforced the importance of mentorship and collaboration in a competitive field.
“As young engineers, we are learning that you cannot succeed alone. Being exposed to experienced professionals helps us grow faster and avoid mistakes,” she noted.
Participants also highlighted challenges faced by young professionals, particularly limited hands-on opportunities during internships and reluctance by some firms to involve trainees in core design and analysis work. Despite these constraints, speakers encouraged young engineers to remain proactive, build skills independently, and demonstrate competence through practice.
The regional assembly comes ahead of the National General Assembly (NGA) of the Order of Civil Engineers, scheduled to hold in the coming weeks at the Yaounde International Conference Centre. Leaders say the national meeting will serve as a moment of encouragement for engineers affected by the ongoing crisis, while reaffirming unity, professional standards, and the future direction of the Order.
As the North West Region continues to rebuild and adapt, engineers at the assembly agreed that collective action, ethical discipline, and knowledge-sharing remain critical to restoring confidence in infrastructure development and professional practice.
