Mechanical Engineers Say They Have Designed Road Construction Machine, Farming Equipment

Executive officers of NIMechE at a news conference held to announce the institute’s Engineering Week on Tuesday in Lagos

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) says it 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, Oct. 8 to 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 the 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 contributed to drainage issues and exacerbates flooding in the state.

He noted that the association had already scheduled a meeting with the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure to present the kerb construction machine.

According to him, 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.

He said that the association had already booked an appointment with the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure towards presenting the kerbs construction machine.

He stated that NIMechE had 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 strategy of reaching out to governments and communities to solve needs across sectors.

He disclosed that the institute also planned 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 had 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.

The NIMechE chairman highlighted his administration’s achievements from year 2023 to 2024 to include, the design of the new road construction machine by some members of the association.

He appealed for support of both public and private sectors to sponsor professional projects for the impact of mechanical engineers to be felt in Nigeria.

“We want to ensure that the momentum of the progress of Nigeria will be maintained with the support of all our members,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as part of activities to commemorate the engineering week, the association went to Ogba to carry out health screening for mechanics and engineers.

The health check was done in collaboration with the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos Branch.

The association also embarked on a courtesy visits and technical collaborations.

NIMechE, will on Wednesday hold essay competition for student members alongside public lecture and panel discussions.

The three-day activities of the institute will end with an annual general meeting, election of new members, elders forum and funfair on Thursday.