The various tiers of government have been urged to accelerate investments in rural infrastructure towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs,.
This was the focus of a week-long 2019 annual general meeting, AGM, and engineering conference of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Ado-Ekiti, branch, with the theme, ” Engineering and Technology for Economic Sustainability.
In one of the paper presentations, the conference observed that the ” rural community can be described as a settlement that is far removed from where modern conveniences are provided, and the people living in such a place are more or less isolated from social services and amenities “. It identified agriculture as the major economic activity of the rural dwellers in Nigeria, underscoring that agricultural development is essential for economic growth, rural development, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and resolving issues of extreme hunger in low-income developing nations.
Hence, ” it is expected that most of the infrastructure investment must come from public sources, while public -private partnership should be pursued when appropriate.”
Another paper, dissecting development of rural roads for economic sustainability, noted the need for investment in rural areas, since they are agrarian and possess the potential to generate wealth. It cited past development programmes, such as the National Accelerated Food Production Project, NAFPP, the River -Basins Development Authority, RBDA, the Agricultural Development Projects,ADPs, Operation Feed the Nation, among others. It highlighted benefits of rural road development to include economic growth and sustainability, reduction of poverty, response to emergency crisis and peace -building.
Beaming further searchlight on the travails of the rural areas, the conference in a paper, ” Development of rural infrastructure as a solution for sustainability of economy,” pointed out that some developing countries, including Nigeria, pay more attention to the development of their urban areas,thereby leading to deficit in development of rural areas. It added that efforts at sustaining infrastructural development in such rural areas are not sufficient as the provision of reliable, affordable and effective infrastructures remains a major challenge in the rural areas.
Speakers on “Combining Nanotechnology with Fuel Cell Technology to End Energy Crises in Nigeria,” harped on the essence of developing an energy mix that incorporates renewable and alternative energy supply since good electricity supply is the foundation on which advanced economies are built. The paper presenters implored “the government to demonstrate commitment to these technologies by increasing funding in a bid to keep pace with developed nations.”
Examining what was tagged, ” Critical investigation of carbonation effect induced by black carbon soot on the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete,” the conference brought to the fore a research work which considers major critical components causing global warming as it studies the link between reinforced concrete deterioration mechanisms and anthropogenic carbon aerosol (black carbon soot) emissions in the atmosphere.
Other areas of discourse at the event included, critical appraisal of options for removing various contaminants from wastewater for economic sustainability, sustainability of Nigerian economy through a veritable development of agriculture in rural areas, the roles of agriculture in sustainable economic development, effects of electrocution on the human body, synthesis of thermal insulator using chicken feather fibre in starch – clay nanocomposites.
Meanwhile, the conference did not gloss over the importance of agriculture to reduction of poverty in Nigeria, adding that for the economic development of Nigeria to be sustained, agriculture should be given proper role in the nations economy by rejuvenating the country’s agricultural indudustries.
Earlier in his opening speech, the chairman, NSE, Ado-Ekiti branch, Dr Olumide Ogundipe, reminded the members that it was high time the deployed technology in every aspect of Nigeria’s economy. This he stressed would enhance the country’s development , advising that engineers have great roles to play in attaining this feat.
In another development, the was election of officers to steer the affairs of the society for a fresh tenure.
Dr Olumide Ogundipe retained the chairmanship seat, Engr. Kayode Afuye, emerged as the vice chairman, while Dr Oluwaseyi Aluko was elected as the secretary.Read also:
Others were Engr. Grace Atta, treasurer, Engr. Tope Falana, financial secretary, Engr, Jasper Faleye, publicity secretary and while Engr. Adeniyi Adewole is the ex-officio.
Inaugurating the officers, the pioneer chairman of the Ado-Ekiti branch of the NSE, Dr Afolabi Esan,urged members to accord the new executive members maximum co-operation towards discharging their duties effectively.
