By Victor Bieni
ASABA- A Lecturer and Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Engr. Mokwenye Ikebu-Ifesinachi has that quality Civil Engineering infrastructures termed as basic amenities helps to improve the standards of lives of citizens if means of Sustainability is maintained.
This was made known to our reporter recently at the conference Hall of Engr. D. A. Umukoro, Ministry of Works, Asaba, Delta State Capital in his lectures delivered in as the Guest Speaker during the Second Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Asaba Chapter.
Engr. Ikebu-Ifesinachi defined Civil Engineering infrastructure as the facilities necessary for an economy to function, a framework that is interconnected to ease the production and distribution of goods and services such as road network.
He added that the role of Civil Engineers cannot be over-emphasized as its functions in the Society included amongst others: Interpretation of Engineering drawings, identifying deviation, and ensuring that project meetings and execution are going accordingly, Producing project report, keeping constant eye on project scope, avoiding risk and waste of resources.
Engr. Ikebu-Ifesinachi while dwelling on the theme: “Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation” highlighted Engineering infrastructures to include amongst others: Roads, Bridges, Buildings, Airports, Dams, Storm Water Drainage System, Railways, Portable Water Supply to mention but a few.
The University DON who is also a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE) noted that the deficit in infrastructure has met slow Development in Nigeria with over 180 Million population as no meaningful expansion has taken place since 1978 which may be as a result of totally abandoned projects, aging infrastructure, failed project and claims of no fund for expansion.
The immediate past Head of Department, Faculty of Civil Engineering in DELSU, Oleh Campus stated further that Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit rate is caused by usage of incompetent contractors by politicians, use of inexperienced expertise or quarks for construction sites, underestimation of project sum, inadequate investigation for proper planning, design error, Youth restiveness or Development levy syndrome, delay in certificate signing for payment, Corruption or factoring something for financial gratification and many others.
He then advised that as solutions to the impending dangers on deficit infrastructure in Nigeria, the services of Professional Civil Engineers should be be the Watchward of every contractors from the starting point of construction to commission shouldered with the responsibility of monitoring, assessment and Rehabilitation as best methodology for the challenges.
The University DON who is also a Fellow of the Institution admonished the new Executives of the division in the State to keep, maintain the Standards of Engineering Profession in Nigeria, promote both technical and Industrial knowledge and advance the Professional Skills of members.
Engr. Mokwenye, a seasoned Civil Engineering Lecturer in Delta State University, Abraka Commended the the National President of NICE, Engr. Mrs Aishatu Aliyu Umar, the immediate past Executives of NICE, Immediate past Chairman of the Institution (NICE), Asaba Chapter, Engr. Onichabor Alex Ifeanyi, the newly elected Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineering (NICE), Asaba Chapter, Engr. P.G Fuludu, Delta State Commissioner for Works, Engr. James
Augoye, ably represented by the permanent Secretary of the Ministry and other notable dignitaries.
Engr. Ikebu-Ifesinachi stated that Civil Engineering is the Mother of all Engineering Profession and then thanked everyone, who is who in Engineering and Civil Engineering Profession in Nigeria that graced the occasion for contributing greatly to the growth and development of the Profession through personal development, effective skill and knowledge advancement for excellence performance.
