Students tasked to develop Indigenous Style of Bridge Construction in Nigeria

In applying and adapting the usage of indigenous style of bridge construction in the country, students of the Department of Civil Engineering have been charged to conceive and create indigenous format/style of bridge construction, which will replace the usual British and French styles earlier adopted.

This charge was given by Engineer Wojuola Laide, a Guest Speaker at the Departmental Seminar organized by the Civil Engineering Department. In his presentation titled “Bridge Design and Construction Practice in Nigeria”, Engr. Laide stated that construction of bridges in Nigeria is always at high cost, but opined that the indigenous style would serve as a response to solving bridge construction problems and help reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.
Engr. Laide, who previously worked with Julius Berger (a Multinational Construction Company) gave a brief history of bridge construction in Nigeria. He said, “Bridge construction in the country was started by nature itself—as simple as a log falling across a stream or stones jutting out of a river. Also, the large span building in Nigeria began with the Carter Bridge in 1901, constructed by the British Colonial Government”.
Engr. Laide highlighted the multi-disciplinary stages involved for a bridge construction. “The processes of bridge construction include, establishing a need, feasibility studies, solution, analysis and design, site details, inspection, maintenance and repairs, demolition, and replacement”.
The guest speaker urged the students to be equipped with ideas to rule the world to remain relevant. He also advised them not to be involved in any fraudulent practice in bridge construction processes.

The Head of Department, Civil Engineering, Dr Ogbiye Adebanji, stated that the main aim of the seminar was to help students of the department to get ready for fieldwork. He also stressed the need to know what the world entails as another reason for the seminar.

 http://covenantuniversity.edu.ng/News/Students-tasked-to-develop-Indigenous-Style-of-Bridge-Construction-in-Nigeria