By RUKUYAT ADEYEMI (NAN)
The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) has developed a machine designed to help the Lagos State government expedite road kerb construction to address perennial flooding issues, Mr Bayo Erinle, Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NIMechE, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday to announce the institute’s three-day Engineering Week activities.
The Week, started from Tuesday (yesterday) Oct. 8 to end on Thursday, Oct. 10
Erinle explained that NIMechE submitted a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to the Lagos State government, detailing the machine and other innovative projects.
The association identified specific areas of need, particularly in road construction and maintenance, to offer tailored solutions.
“In the area of road and road pavement maintenance, we have come up with a machine that can automatically lay concrete kerbs.
“Instead of laying them one by one, we have a machine that just lays it automatically. This is because we realised that many streets in Lagos lack these kerbs,” he said.
He said that the absence of these kerbs contributes to drainage issues and exacerbates flooding in the state.
According to him, the association has already scheduled a meeting with the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure to present the kerb construction machine.
He disclosed that NIMechE has held several technical sessions with the support of the Governor to discuss other projects and inventions aimed at improving infrastructure in the State, adding that the association has already booked an appointment with the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure for onward meeting with the Governor to enable them to formally present the kerbs construction machine to him.
Stating that NIMechE has strengthened its partnership with both the public and private sectors toward attracting all round development to Lagos and Nigeria, Erinle noted that mechanical engineering is the bedrock of engineering aimed at providing solutions in all sectors.
The institute’s chairman said that NIMechE adopted a strategy of reaching out to governments and communities to solve needs across sectors, disclosing that the institute also plans to commercialise a farming machine designed by a member of NIMechE in 2023.
According to him, the agricultural machine was widely accepted in the Northern part of Nigeria, while NIMechE has begun discussing with manufacturers towards its mass production.
Erinle added that local fabrication of machines would help farmers get the equipment for mechanised farming cheaper to boost food production.
