By Daniel Edu
The Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transport Engineers (NIHTE) has issued a plea to contractors and other stakeholders, urging them to strictly adhere to standardized specifications in their road construction projects.
The Chairman of NIHTE in Oyo State, Mr. Rafiu Lasisi, made this call during the 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the institution, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday. The theme of this year’s AGM was “Monitoring the Progress of Civil Engineering Highway Road Projects in Accordance with the General Specifications.”
Lasisi emphasized that strict compliance with these specifications is crucial for ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality and economically viable road projects. Lasisi, who is also a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), explained that the AGM’s theme specifically aimed to draw attention to the importance of engineers supervising road projects while adhering to established specifications.
In addition to advocating for adherence to standards, Lasisi stressed the need for the government to expand the country’s rail network as a means to relieve the pressure on road infrastructure and facilitate the transportation of heavy loads through rail. He also called on governments at all levels to implement effective policies that would support budgeting and financing for road projects.
A guest lecturer at the AGM, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, clarified that the general specifications for road construction are regularly updated by British and Nigerian engineers based on their extensive experience in the field. Shittu, also an NSE fellow, urged NIHTE members not to compromise on specifications for the sake of financial gains or under pressure from contractors. He commended the government’s decision to embrace concrete road construction due to its durability and potential to create job opportunities for Nigerians.
Saidu Hassan, the National Chairman of NIHTE, highlighted the importance of comprehensive road reform as the solution to Nigeria’s road challenges. He mentioned that the pending Road Reform Bill, awaiting the President’s approval, would establish a federal road authority and a federal road fund to improve project funding and execution.
Adding to the discussion, Azeez Adeoye, an awardee at the NIHTE 2023 AGM, encouraged young engineers to prioritize building strong professional careers rather than chasing financial gain. He noted that compromised engineers and contractors often contribute to the problem of substandard road projects.
In her remarks, Mrs. Oluwakemi Oladeji, the Deputy Director of Works in Egbeda Local Government Area, expressed her gratitude to NIHTE for recognizing her contributions to the engineering profession through the awards. She also encouraged more young girls to consider pursuing careers in engineering.
