The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to deliver durable, world-class infrastructure across the federation.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph TerlumunUtsev, stated this during the weekend in Abuja at the investiture of Alimasuya Rabiu as 35th President of the NSE.

Utsev said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognises the NSE as a critical stakeholder in nation-building, noting that several engineers have been appointed to head key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) where they are recording notable achievements, including himself.

According to the minister, the Federal Government has engaged competent engineers for the total rehabilitation and upgrade of the Alau Dam in Borno State, as well as other strategic national projects in the water and road sectors, underscoring the vital role of engineering expertise in infrastructural development.

HOWEVER, a former Commissioner for Works in Ondo State, Gboye Adegbenro, has stated that the government should not be held responsible for the poor construction of roads in the country, stressing that professionals handling such projects should be blamed.

According to Adegbenro, who is a Fellow of the NSE, most road failures in the country were due to compromised professional standards rather than government policy alone.

While disclosing this in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Council Area of the state, at the weekend, the former commissioner advocated for the involvement of local councils in the construction and maintenance of roads.

Adegbenro, who maintained that local councils are better positioned to handle road projects due to their understanding of the terrain, priorities and peculiar needs, cited the United Kingdom as an example, where such an approach had worked perfectly.

While adding that it is unrealistic to expect Nigeria’s Minister of Works to be familiar with all roads across the country, he expressed concern that the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has increasingly ventured into road construction, a situation he said, mirrors what happens at the state level.

According to him, states have agencies designated for road maintenance, but many are failing to perform their statutory duties. Adegbenro urged engineers and relevant authorities to recommit to professional ethics, proper supervision and routine maintenance, noting that sustainable road infrastructure can only be achieved when responsibilities are clearly defined and standards are strictly upheld.