In a significant meeting held on Tuesday 27th of August 2024, the American Society of Civil Engineers Nigeria International Section (ASCE Nigeria Section) met with the Honourable Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, at the Federal Ministry of Environment Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
The ASCE delegation was led by President Engr. Austin Odibi and included prominent members such as the incoming Region 10 Governor, Engr. Rasheed Hassan; Past President, Engr. Ajose Otinwa; and Abuja Branch President, Engr. Mobolaji Olagbemiro. Other attendees were the Section’s Publicity Chair, Ahmed Ayinla; Abuja Branch Treasurer, Engr. Razaq Owolabi; and Young Member, Adeniyi Adeoye. Key officials from the ministry, including the Director of Erosion Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Dr. Etigbue Joe, were also present.
During the meeting, Engr. Odibi outlined ASCE's global and local initiatives, with a particular focus on the upcoming Resilient Infrastructure Conference set for September 25th, 2024, in Lagos.
In his address, Engr. Odibi expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the significance of the upcoming conference themed "Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in Nigeria: The Key Challenges and Opportunities." He invited the Honourable Minister to be the Keynote Speaker, stressing that the minister’s insights and leadership would greatly contribute to the discussions on sustainable infrastructure in Nigeria. The ASCE President also highlighted the society's involvement in the Future Cities initiative and the importance of government collaboration in achieving sustainable national development.
As a gesture of appreciation for his dedication to environmental sustainability in Nigeria, Engr. Odibi presented the Honourable Minister with a Certificate of Commendation.
Responding to the ASCE delegation, Dr. Salako expressed his gratitude for the visit and acknowledged the significant role engineers play in addressing climate-related challenges. He emphasized that the ministry’s responsibilities at the federal level include developing policies, supporting the National Assembly in shaping environmental protection regulations, and managing departments such as the Erosion Flood and Coastal Zone Management, which is predominantly led by engineers.
Dr. Salako acknowledged the relevance of the conference theme, noting that climate-resilient infrastructure is a critical challenge globally and particularly in Nigeria. He cited the ongoing flooding issues in the northern part of the country, gully erosion in the east, and other climate change impacts such as rising temperatures, heatwaves, and desertification. The Minister stressed the importance of engineers in preventing and controlling these challenges and highlighted the ministry's alignment with the objectives of the ASCE conference.
In conclusion, Dr. Salako accepted the invitation to serve as the Keynote Speaker and Special Guest of Honour at the upcoming conference. He assured the ASCE delegation of the Ministry of Environment’s active participation in the event, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to fostering collaboration with professional associations like ASCE for the betterment of Nigeria’s infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
