NICE raises concern over environmental risks, public health
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), Osun Chapter, has expressed concern over the adverse effects of environmental risks on the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The institution raised the concern at its 4th Engr. Timothy Abiona Annual Distinguished Lecture, themed “Engineering a Sustainable Future: Linking Infrastructure Development, Environmental Quality and Public Health,” held in Osogbo.
The guest lecturer, Engr. (Mrs.) Ayotunde Akanni, said that in developing countries, including Nigeria, issues such as flooding caused by inadequate drainage, contaminated water, indiscriminate waste disposal and worsening air pollution were not isolated environmental problems.
Akanni, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, described the challenges as engineering issues with far-reaching implications for public health and economic development.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), she said about 13 million premature deaths occur globally each year due to environmental risk factors linked to infrastructure decisions. She added that air pollution alone accounts for about seven million deaths annually, making it one of the leading environmental threats to human health.
Akanni, however, identified sustainable engineering solutions such as renewable energy systems, green and resilient urban infrastructure, circular systems and nature-based solutions as critical to mitigating environmental risks.
She urged governments and policymakers to prioritise sustainable infrastructure, adopt integrated planning approaches and invest consistently in capacity development.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of NICE in Osun State, Engr. Basiru Saliu, described the lecture theme as timely and significant, saying, “Across the world, engineers are increasingly called upon to provide innovative solutions that not only address infrastructure deficits but also promote environmental sustainability and safeguard public health”.
