L-R…Financial Secretary, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Victoria Island Branch.Engr Doris Komolafe: Chairman, APWENVI Chapter. Engr. Nneamaka Ekechukwu: Vice Chairman, Engr Favour Olatunji presenting a plaque to the keynote Speaker. Engr Yetunde Aladeitan: General Secretary. Engr Joan Nweke, during the AGM/Public Lecture on Sustainable infrastructure for Nigeria’s future, organised by APWENVI Chapter held at BWC Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos on 24/10/2026…Photos: Chinyere Ikeanyi.
Chinyere Ikeanyi
The Victoria Island Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called for urgent adoption of smart, technology-driven drainage systems to replace Nigeria’s outdated infrastructure and curb recurring floods, waste blockages, and related health hazards.
Speaking at the chapter’s Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture held on 24 October 2026 at BWC Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, Chairman Engr. Nneamaka Grace Ekechukwu, FNSE, stressed the need to inculcate modern technology and proper infrastructure into existing drainage networks. She described the current designs as outdated and largely based on borrowed, inadequate systems that no longer serve growing urban populations.
“We must talk to the people, introduce new systems, improve the design, and educate communities,” Ekechukwu said. She emphasised that data collection is critical for informed planning and that drainage solutions cannot be one-sided.
Guest Speaker Engr. Ejike J. Erochukwu, FSEA, MNSE, R.Engr, Head of Production Performance at TotalEnergies Deep Water Asset, reinforced the message. He highlighted that effective drainage must allow free water flow while addressing the persistent problem of refuse dumping that blocks channels. Erochukwu linked poor waste management directly to public health risks and called on government to do more in enforcing standards and investing in sustainable systems. He also advocated complementary measures such as planting gardens and green spaces as part of integrated urban planning.
Keynote Speaker Engr. Yetunde Aladeitan, PhD, FNSE, FNIPetE, FNSChE, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers, and APWEN President Engr. Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe, FNSE, joined other stakeholders in underscoring the theme “Sustainable Infrastructure for Nigeria’s Future: Smart Designs for Proper Drainage System.”
The event brought together engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders to push for practical, people-centred solutions that combine engineering innovation with community education and stronger government action.
For a better society
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