NSE Makes Case For Federal Roads Authority

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has called for the establishment of Federal Roads Authority to undertake the rehabilitation and maintenance of collapsed roads across the country.

The President of NSE, Mr Olumuyiwa Ajibola, made the call on Friday in Calabar, while briefing the media on the outcome of the 2011 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the NSE.

He also called for the establishment of a dedicated Federal Roads Fund to fund the activities of the proposed authority, adding that similar structures should also be established in all the states of the federation.

He stressed the need for the adoption of a modern maintenance management approach for the maintenance of roads across the country.

Besides, Ajibola urged the Federal Government to promptly complete the dredging of the country’s inland waterways, stressing that “this will help in widening the country’s transportation system.

“Where applicable, water transportation should be developed to support the road system which is currently overloaded.

“Government should encourage the integration of the various transport systems to facilitate the movement of people and goods,’’ he said.

Ajibola also called on the Federal government to use the facilities of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant to fabricate railway tracks and stop the current practice of direct importation.

“This will create more jobs for Nigerians, save foreign exchange and ensure that our development is not heavily import dependent,’’ he said.

He, however, stressed the need for the government to partner with the NSE on the development of road maintenance structures and other engineering concerns for optimum results.

The NSE president, who noted that the incidence of road accidents in Nigeria ranked among the highest in the world, stressed the need for well-equipped transport institutions with well-trained personnel in the country.

Our correspondent reports that the theme of the four-day conference was “Effective Transportation System in Nigeria: The Way Forward’’.

The conference also witnessed the election of a new executive team to run the affairs of the society with effect from January 2012 with Mr Mustafa Shehu as the society’s President.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was among the over 8,000 delegates who attended the conference.