The Nigerian Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE), in partnership with the International Road Federation (IRF), has trained hundreds of engineers to boost Nigeria’s road and bridge infrastructure.

Speaking at the opening session of the event in Abuja, the National Chairman of NIHTE, Engr. Francis Oriakhi revealed that their synergy with IRF started about a decade after the inception of the institution, with the training of professionals on road construction, designs, and asset management.

Oriakhi, represented by the immediate past chairman, Engr. Hassan Saidu said: “The cardinal objective of this workshop is to ensure professional development through capacity building and provision of advocacy for our members.
“As part of this capacity-building drive, the institution is partnering with IRF, and the fruitful relationship has led to training for about a thousand engineers, as we are still counting.”

According to him, the workshop, themed “Managing Road Infrastructure Assets for Sustainability”, aims to build capacity, advocate for best practices, and equip engineers, particularly those in MDAs and the private sector, with modern design, construction, and asset management techniques.

He added, “This is another block coastal design for easy accessibility, affordability to the Highway engineers in the MDAs and private sectors in the construction industry, and we are delighted that the synergy with IRF is working out simultaneously.
“The workshop is designed to optimize the performance of the road network over the last circle of its structural infrastructure assets. In essence, it is a process seeking to maintain and improve the performance of the infrastructure assets system.
“Roads assets management is a key strategic approach enabling roads authorities to optimize the performance of their assets, such as active maintenance, repairs, and replacement activities.”

In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Margaret Aina Oguntala, represented by Vice President Engr. Aluyah Dauda Okodugha, praised the effort, calling it a proactive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s road conditions and promoting national development.

He noted that the workshop is a testimony of a proactive approach towards improving infrastructure development and supporting good governance through engineering dialogue and leadership.

He said: “We have not overemphasized the critical importance of road infrastructure in ensuring national connectivity, enabling full economic activities, and fostering national development.
“Roads remain the lifeline of the cities and rural communities, directly influencing trade, agriculture, education, and healthcare development.”
Also speaking, the NIHTE deputy chairman, Engr. Dr. Bola Mudasiru, highlighted that the take-home of the workshop lies in understanding international standards and guidelines for road construction, familiarity with various road maintenance methods, including preventive maintenance and rehabilitation.