ASHENEWS reports that the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Minna branch has advised the Niger state government to prioritise sustainable waste management systems as it revamps the state’s infrastructural architecture.
The Chairman of the NSE in the state, Engr Dr Mohammed Yerima stated this while speaking to ASHENEWS shortly after an event to mark this year’s World Engineering Day.
This year, the day is convened with the theme, “Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable World.”
According to him, the call became necessary given the need for the government to prioritise sustainability in its efforts to resuscitate moribund structures in the state.
The call is also in line with this year’s theme for the World Engineering Day.
“This year’s theme has to do with sustainable engineering solutions to development and if you are talking about sustainability, some of these issues such as waste disposal need to be looked into.
“This is part of the things we feel, like looking at the hospital project, where it is situated, we feel there has to be a concrete and deliberate arrangement designed for how the waste generated when it becomes operational is disposed of. There will be waste that will be accumulated as a result of running the hospital. Those are some of the issues that need to be looked into. There has to be a sustainable way of doing it so that it doesn’t become an issue within the hospital and outside the hospital environment.”
The NSE chairman explained that the society has carried out a monitoring exercise of some ongoing projects in the state, the outcome of which he said points to the potential of the projects to bring about development in the state.
He lauded the state government for its zeal to turn around the issue of infrastructural development in the state.
He however advised the state government to partner with the society to ensure that professionalism is not done away with in the process of carrying out such vital projects.
“We play key roles in terms of building constructions in Niger State and to mark this day, we had a tour of some ongoing projects such as the IBB Teaching Hospital, we have seen some of the laudable of Governor Jmwr Mohammed Bago and we have made some professional inputs as sustainable solutions to some of the issues that may come up, especially in the area of waste disposal.
“We are delighted as engineers with the momentous projects of the government. It’s a thing of pride for us. The governor has shown his capacity in a lot of areas especially in road construction and his initiative in terms of agriculture.
“We only appeal that we want to be partners with the government in this progress. We want to see that some of our indigenous engineers okay key roles in this project and we are also ready and willing to partner and share our experience and skills in the achievement of this project.
“We have a pool of capable engineers and manning projects here, so also hope the government takes advantage of this pool of professionals whom we are very much aware of their capacity they can help in giving back to society and share their experience in this journey so these are people that we can beat our chest for who are ready, willing, groomed and prepared and waiting to be challenged.
“A lot can be done without necessarily going outside the state,” he said.