New initiative underway to promote tunneling, underground space infrastructure 

A new initiative is underway in Nigeria to promote and develop tunneling and underground space infrastructure as it is done in advanced economies such as London, France, etc where this form of infrastructure development has recorded huge success.

The development of underground infrastructure in Nigeria, especially for the purpose of controlling traffic congestion, promoting sanitation and improving safety,  has become not only necessary but also urgent  given the country’s rapid urbanization and population growth as could be seen in its major cities notably Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

“As cities become increasingly over-crowded, the need for an underground space to support existing infrastructure becomes imperative”, said Olivier Vion, executive director, International Tunneling Association (ITA), who spoke at a conference organised by Tunneling Association of Nigeria (TAN) in Lagos recently.

Nigeria has a huge infrastructure deficit which, according to the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan draft of 2013, requires about $2.9 trillion in 30 years to close. That was even the period the country was spending $10 billion on its infrastructure at lower interest rate.

A recent report suggests that the country requires between $12 to $15 billion annually for the next six years to meet the infrastructure requirements. At current market rates, this amounts to over N7 trillion per year. Implementing this requires spending a whole annual budget on the sector alone.

But Vion hopes that the development of tunneling and underground infrastructure in Nigeria would help improve water and sanitation infrastructure, control traffic and flooding in cities, adding, “this is good for the metro system as it makes for safety”.

TAN is a young, ambitious association that was founded in 2015 with the primary objective on advocacy and creating awareness for tunneling technology in Nigeria.  At its first conference jointly organised with the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) with the theme  ‘Developing the Tunneling and Underground Space Industry in Nigeria’, Abidemi Agwor, chairman, ad-hoc committee, disclosed that the association intends to embark on a 10-year strategic plan to build capacity for the industry.

The 10-year plan aims to locally engage, at least, 50 percent of the delivery of major tunneling and underground activities which Otis Anyaeji, the NSE president, said was a commendable and ambitious plan  that has to be complemented by involving young talents in the universities in relevant disciplines.

Anyaeji who was represented at the conference by Emmanuel Akingbola, noted that tunneling was one of those sectors developed countries were promoting and recording tremendous success in which Nigeria could not afford to be behind.

“Obviously, skills and expertise have to be developed between NSE and other professional bodies like the Institute of surveyors and Town Planners, geologists, environmentalists, architects etc to strengthen tunnel infrastructure”, he said, pointing out that developing tunnels or underground space, especially in our fast developing mega cities, would enable the country maximize the use of square foot of space, thereby adding more value to the structure and the country’s lifestyle.

In the same spirit, the federal government says it has the willingness and devotion to buy into this vision and, according to Rotimi Amechi, Minister of Transport, government would do everything possible to provide an enabling environment for this vision to flower, mature and be embraced as major factor in national planning in the areas of road, rail, flood control and power.

“We shall continue to encourage innovative and sustainable development, initiatives and strengthening of capacities for excellence in research for the country to keep pace with global trends in technological developments”, the minister assured in his keynote address at the conference, adding that beyond the environmental benefits, cities seek initiatives to improve economy and urban living.

He however expressed government’s concern with risk management issues associated with tunneling, advising that in order to reduce risks to a reasonable level, the code of practice must be incorporated in TAN programme with international best practices.