Lagos – The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineering (NIMechE) says it will use engineering innovations and inventions to address economic recession and economic diversification.
Mrs Funmilade Akingbabohum, the Chairman of the Lagos branch of NIMechE, made the promise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
Akingbagbohum said that the institution intended to collaborate with relevant private and government agencies to create inventions that could solve the country’s problems.
“We intend to collaborate with relevant private organisations and government agencies to get innovations and inventions that could be problem solving to Nigeria, and produce them commercially for the benefit of all.
“We are working with the Bank of Industry to see the possibility of setting up a recycling plant through which we will transform used auto parts like tyres, body parts and scraps into usable items.
“The idea is to identify certain societal challenges and use the instrumentality of mechanical engineering to proffer solutions both socially and economically,’’ she said.
The engineer said that certain home-grown products that could bridge the petrol and electricity deficit in Nigeria were already being researched.
“Some young engineers and students have already devised products that could serve as alternatives to premium Motor Spirit (petrol) for our cars as well as products that could boost electricity.
“In the near future, these schemes will be demonstrated for our government to see and to buy in,’’ she said.
Akingbagbohun said that the mechanical engineering body was taking steps to encourage young and aspiring engineers by collaborate with willing auto industry players to fund their creative endeavours.
She said that such collaboration with Toyota Nigeria Ltd. yielded N10 million support for engineering departments of tertiary institutions in Lagos.
“We are also enhancing the careers of the younger generation of engineers by collaborating with relevant industry players to fund their research engagements.
“We already secured a N10 million funding from Toyota Nigeria Limited for the purchase of equipment for engineering departments of tertiary institutions in Lagos,’’ she said.
Akingbabgohum said that NIMechE was also working to enhance the welfare of older generations of engineers and retirees.
“We are also looking at enhancing the welfare of our members. We will look at their well being within the context of an economic recession,’’ she said.
NAN recalls that NIMechE is an arm of Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi
