Experts have called on engineers in Nigeria to proffer long lasting solutions to address the infrastructural challenges facing the country.
Speaking at the 2023 conference/AGM and induction of new members of the Bwari Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), held in Abuja with the theme: ”Impacts of financial misappropriation on infrastructural development” The Senator representing Imo North who is the senate committee chairman on Works, Engr Patrick Ndubueze said engineers should articulate way forward for the Nigeria Infrastructural deficits.
He said, “I want to charge you all that you should articulate what you think should be the proper way for us to execute infrastructure in Nigeria and it will be long lasting. Let us articulate the way forward for Nigerians.
“It is wrong that you build a road today, it would not stay long. Under five years you go back to the place, and mind you, in that five years you will not get back to it because you don’t have the funds. And before you go back to it, it is gone. You will start work afresh. So when you hear us saying concrete pavement you can now understand.”
He said he was in the process of initiating a Road Authority bill that would be charged with the responsibility of constructing roads, adding that it would remove bureaucratic processes and would also approve state roads.
The President of NSE, Engr Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, who said the theme of the conference: The Impact of Financial Misappropriation on Infrastructural Development, was apt, urged engineers to deploy maximum care and prudence in managing funds when handling projects so that they would always deliver quality jobs.
He was represented by Engr. Chinasaokwu Okolie said, “I remember about your programme in Bwari and the Bwari people are very happy about the programme.
I was the person that represented the president of NSE and that happens to be one of the president missions.
“He want the NSE to reach out to the communities, let the community know that you are not just existing on the paper. Give back to the society because all of us are the products of one thing or the other. People mentors us and now we are what we are and we have to give back, so that when you are no longer there your name will continue to be remember.
“The conference theme is very well chosen, “the Impact of financial misappropriation on infrastructural development” we all know what misappropriation is. Finances when they are misappropriated will go a long way towards crippling or not allowing the execution of projects.
“So professionals especially engineers , we should deployed the maximum care, prudence in managing the funds so that we will deliver any project we get in touch with.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Bwari branch, Engr. Ijirotimi Olanrewaju, said the society had donated science equipment to Government Science Technical School, Garki Area 3 and paid WAEC fees for six best science students in public schools as part of efforts to encourage them study of engineering.
“As a way of given back to our communities, the branch identified and renovated a block of two classrooms at Nomadic Primary School, Barangoni on Bwari Area Council. The renovation works had been completed and classrooms are ready for use during the 2023/2024 academic calendar.
“The theme of this year’s engineering conference is apt because financial misappropriation poses serious threat to national development.sustainable economic development is hinged on effective utilisation of public funds towards infrastructural development.”