The president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Margaret Oguntala, has called on the federal government to strengthen its strategic partnership with the Government of Japan to boost infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Mrs Oguntala made the call during the inauguration of a state-of-the-art road construction and maintenance equipment donated by the Japanese Government on Saturday in Abuja.

She explained that sustained collaboration between Nigeria and Japan could unlock valuable opportunities in technology transfer, capacity building, and enhanced infrastructure delivery.

“Such partnerships are crucial in achieving long-term national development goals, particularly in Engineering-driven sectors.

“It is vital that we work together toward shared objectives that benefit both countries,” she said.

The NSE president also commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting strategic collaborations as a pathway to infrastructure renewal.

She urged his administration to further deepen such alliances, especially in sectors where innovation and engineering expertise were needed most.

“President Tinubu’s approach to development through global partnerships is commendable, and I encourage even deeper engagements for broader national impact,” she added.

Mrs Oguntala, while speaking on the importance of road infrastructure, described it as the backbone of economic growth, enabling connectivity, trade, and access to essential services.

She stated that the newly unveiled equipment was not just machinery but a symbol of progress and a commitment to excellence in Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery.

The NSE president expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for its continued support and urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

“FERMA must ensure that the assets are put to optimal use and maintained in accordance with international standards to maximise their impact,” she said.

(NAN)