PREAMBLE:
The Nigerian society of Engineers Enugu branch held her monthly meeting at Gold Value Hotel New Haven Enugu with the theme “INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU STATE: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS:
The technical session was Chaired by a former Commissioner of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) Engr. I.N.A, Ugwuegede, FNSE, and had as Guest Lecturer, the Enugu State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr (Dr)Patrick Ikpenwa, MNSE, who was represented by the Deputy Director Construction and Materials Engr C. C. Ngwu, MNSE. The Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Engr G.O. Nnaji MNSE served as Co-discussant.
Also present at the session were Fellows, Corporate members, graduate and student members as well as members of the press and general public.
In his welcome address, the Enugu Branch Chairman – Engr. B. N. Edeh, FNSE recalled that the objectives of the NSE is basically to advance standards of study and practices of Engineering hence the Society is bothered by the rate of deterioration of roads in Enugu State shortly after commissioning. Engr. Edeh stressed that the key players in road construction are engineers, it therefore calls for self examination by the Society. The Chairman fowned at the recent destruction of Life and property at Nimbo Uzo-Uwani and invited the members to profer solution to the national calamity.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. There is too much pressure on existing infrastructure caused by increase in population, planlessness, years of neglect (decay) and misuse by the people.
2. Inexperience of project personnel and inadequate data collection and analysis at planning/design stage contribute to road failure before their life span.
3. Transparent procurement of Works and Services mainly due to political interference result in Contractors and Consultants intimidating the client’s inexperienced engineers.
4. Obsolete and out-dated equipment or outright absence of the necessary equipment (especially for quality control) is also a major constraint.
5. Poor maintenance culture is also a reason infrastructure dilapidate and decay. The attitude of the users of these infrastructures is a major concern. Our people indiscriminately dump refuse into the drains and culverts, thus allowing storm water spill on the carriage ways, causing road failures
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Full time COREN ERM inspectors should be engaged for strict compliance to guidelines, regulation and standards in engineering project implementation , and should join hands with NSE to stop quacks from taking over the job of Engineers. Enugu State Government is therefore enjoined to immediately appoint the representative of the Government in the ERM of the Branch;
Engineers should constantly update knowledge in the practice through seminars and conferences, committed their calling, insist on the right thing even under threat of the jobs.
Infrastructure maintenance should not be relegated to the background. Maintenance should begin immediately after construction.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) of the Enugu State Ministry of works and infrastructure should be upgraded and improved on. As a matter of fact, all payment certificates must be accompanied by duly certified Test Results of the work.
Standard procurement processes should be put in place to ensure value for money.
The State Ministry of works should step up supervisory roles in terms of project monitoring and quality control.
There should be serious enlightenment in the media to sensitized the public on the human activities that lead to road failure, e.g. dumping refuse into the drains and indiscriminate burning of tyres on road pavement.
Mechanics should be relocated to the mechanic village so that damage on road pavement of oil and grease spillage will be minimized.
Citizens should guard jealously the infrastructures provided for them, own and protect them from mis-use. In fact there is need for synergy of all stakeholders to help secure and maintain the existing infrastructure.
On the recent mayhem suspected to be by Fulani Herdsmen in Uzo Uwani, LGA of Enugu State on Monday 25th April 2016, the NSE Enugu branch condemns in strong terms the invasion on indigenes of Nimbo community in Uzo Uwani LGA Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen and suggests that strict legislation should be put in place to forestall the destruction of farm crops, human lives and property. We advocate the use of best practices as is practicable in other Countries of the world particularly banning movement of cattle on foot along the roads and farm lands. Cattle should be constrained to the ranches as in modern livestock rearing.
Engr A. C. Ozougwu MNSE Engr B.N. Edeh FNSE
Technical Secretary Chairman Enugu Branch
