Damaturu: The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on Tuesday attributed structural failures in the construction industry to faulty designs and poor-quality materials. This assertion was made during a public lecture and the induction of new members as part of the 2025 Engineering Week celebrations in Damaturu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, the President of NSE, emphasized the critical need for stakeholders to adhere to standard practices to prevent delays, cost overruns, or the total collapse of projects. Represented by Mr. Usman Tijjani, the NSE’s Vice President, Oguntala highlighted the paramount importance of addressing safety concerns and the long-term economic implications of structural failures.
During her address, Oguntala noted the ongoing construction of Damaturu’s first flyover as evidence of the government’s commitment to infrastructural development and engineering excellence. However, she cautioned that ambitious projects like this come with inherent risks if not properly designed, funded, and executed. She stressed the necessity of thorough structural integrity assessments, accurate soil testing, proper design, and rigorous quality control over concrete grades, bearings, expansion joints, and pile configurations to ensure durability and safety.
Oguntala further stated that flyovers are capital-intensive and require adequate budgetary provisions. Without these, projects risk stalling midway, turning into liabilities rather than assets. She urged engineers, contractors, and government agencies involved in such critical infrastructure to uphold the ethics and standards of the profession by paying close attention to technical details such as soil bearing capacity, concrete strength, design load, and environmental impacts to ensure the flyover in Damaturu is safe, efficient, and beneficial to the public.
Earlier in the event, Mr. Aliyu Sabo, the NSE Chairman of the Damaturu Branch, explained that the 2025 Engineering Week was aimed at promoting excellence in engineering practice, sensitizing the public to quality project execution, and fostering ethical standards within the profession. He outlined a series of activities planned for the week, including visits to engineering-related organizations, project sites, orphanages, and hospitals, culminating in a dinner and award night.
Sabo also paid tribute to the late Mr. Jibrin Umar Kortoni, a former Director-General of the Ministry of Lands and Survey and past chairman of the NSE branch, for his significant contributions to the development of the Damaturu Secretariat of the Society. The event also saw the induction of 17 new members into the society, marking a significant milestone for the organization.