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By Stella Odueme
The National President of the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (NAEGE), Prof. Salome Waziri, has called for mandatory subsurface investigations by certified engineering geologists before the construction of buildings, roads, dams and other critical infrastructure in Nigeria.
Waziri made the call during the 11th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of NAEGE, held in Abuja, with the theme, “Geoinformation for Sustainable Infrastructure in a Rapidly Developing Nation.”
In an interview with Starnewsafrica, she said proper geological investigations were essential to determining the strength and suitability of the ground for construction, warning that failure to assess subsurface conditions could contribute to building collapses, road failures and damage to other infrastructure.
The NAEGE president also called for greater recognition of geologists’ contributions to national development, stressing the need for sustained advocacy to ensure that government and the public understood the importance of the profession.
Waziri explained that subsurface investigations involved examining the rocks, water and soil beneath the ground to determine their properties and ability to support structures.
According to her, certified engineering geologists registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) are equipped to provide the necessary geological information to civil engineers before construction begins.
She said: “We are the only people that can bring about the strength of the subsurface. Then we inform the civil engineers that this place is strong enough to carry this kind of structure, or this place is not strong enough to carry this load.”
The NAEGE president noted that every structure carried a load, and placing such a load on ground that could not support it could lead to structural failure.
“That's when you see some of these buildings collapse. That's when you see our roads fail. You see road failure. You see even airfields and dams,” she said.
Waziri stressed that engineering geology should be integrated into infrastructure planning and construction to reduce the risks associated with unsuitable ground conditions.
The NAEGE president also highlighted the importance of engineering geology in environmental management, particularly in the protection of groundwater and the safe disposal of waste.
She explained that the environment extended beyond the surface of the earth to include the subsurface, which supplies water and other resources used by communities.
According to her, activities carried out on the surface could contaminate groundwater if proper geological investigations and environmental safeguards were not put in place.
“People drink water from the borehole and think it is 100 per cent safe. But it's not like that. There could be pollution,” she said.
Waziri called for waste disposal sites to be properly investigated and engineered to prevent harmful substances from infiltrating the ground and contaminating underground water sources.
She said landfill sites should be designed with impermeable barriers where necessary to prevent liquid waste from seeping into the groundwater.
“The land is supposed to be engineered. It's supposed to be investigated by our members to know that if you put anything there and the rain falls on it, it will not get down to the groundwater,” she explained.
Waziri further advocated a stronger role for the nation’s geological survey institution in national development, urging the Federal Government to elevate the agency’s status.
She called for the Director-General of the Geological Survey Agency to report directly to the President, arguing that geology was fundamental tol virtually every aspect of the country’s economic and infrastructural development.
“All of us are sitting on geology, including the Aso Rock. All of us are getting materials from geology. The petroleum, the water, the minerals. Everything is coming from geology,” she said.
She noted that geological information was essential to the exploration and management of petroleum, mineral resources and groundwater, among other areas.
The NAEGE president urged the government to give greater attention to the agency and recognise its importance as a key institution in the country’s development planning.
Waziri also recounted her experience working as a geologist and hydrogeologist with the Ministry of Health in Niger State, where she said she spent 16 years contributing to efforts to combat Guinea worm disease.
She explained that the disease was linked to contaminated surface water and that geologists helped provide alternative groundwater sources to communities.
According to her, the intervention demonstrated the contribution of geology to public health and disease prevention.
She said: “We were the ones that provided the solution to the cure of Guinea worm. The medical doctors could not do that because the Guinea worm was related to surface water.”
Waziri explained that the provision of groundwater sources helped communities access water that was less exposed to the conditions associated with Guinea worm transmission.
She used the example to stress the need for greater collaboration between geologists, health professionals and other sectors of the economy.
The NAEGE president said the association would continue its advocacy and lobbying efforts to ensure that engineering geology received the recognition it deserved.
She disclosed that the association had recorded progress in its efforts to draw attention to the importance of its members’ expertise.
Waziri said the growing attendance at the conference and panel discussion was evidence of the impact of the association’s advocacy.
She noted that previous panel discussions attracted between 20 and 50 participants, while the current gathering had drawn nearly 200 participants.
She said: “That is the reason why. Because of that advocacy. Because we are working. Because we are not keeping quiet. And we will continue to keep working.”
Waziri also expressed concern that geologists, who were previously among the highly paid professionals in Nigeria, had lost some of the recognition and attention they once enjoyed.
She said the association was working towards restoring the profession’s prominence and ensuring that geologists received the support and recognition necessary for their contributions to national development.
She added that sustained advocacy, professional collaboration and government engagement remained central to achieving the association’s objectives.