A professor of Environmental and Engineering Geology at the University of Ibadan, Ibrahim Oyediran, has proffered solutions to the problem of building collapse and bad road infrastructure in Nigeria, saying engineering geologists have what it takes to curb the menace.
Delivering a valedictory lecture in honour of Prof Gabriel Oladapo Adeyemi, who retired from the service of the University of Ibadan after clocking 70 years, Prof Oyediran stated that geologists were vital to preventing building collapse and mitigate environmental impact of construction activities in Nigeria.
He lamented that, “Nigeria as a country has gotten to a stage where we cannot continue to pay lip service to the vital role played by engineering geologists albeit geologists in the delivery of sustainable structures.”
The university don who spoke on the topic, “Engineering Geology and The Sustainability of Structures and the Environment: The Edunabon Manuscripts” noted that Nigerian roads kept failing and buildings continued to collapse because the country refused to consider the environment in the placement of structures.
“Our roads keep failing, our buildings keep coming down, we refuse to consider the environment in the emplacement of structures. We design beautiful structures without recourse to material suitability, bearing capacity, environmental impact, and sustainability.
“We obviously have no value for human life and place more premium quantity rather than quality. How do we walk and move forward when we have refused to crawl and take care of the basics.”
While noting that not all buildings collapse due to material quality, Oyediran stated that such collapse could be avoided “By ensuring that geological conditions and processes are fully considered.
“Engineering Geology helps to create structures that are safe, durable, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible, contributing to the well-being, progress of society and a sustainable built environment.
“In essence, it is indispensable, and its importance cannot be overstated in the realm of civil engineering and infrastructure development”.
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