The twin problems of disunity and encroachment by sister professions have been identified as the main problem of surveying in the country.

Stakeholders, who took a critical look at the surveying profession at the 2016   Cocktail with fellow in honour of Dr. Olusola Atilola, noted that these problems were hindering the growth of the once cherished profession.

According to them, if left unchecked, they are likely to lead towards the drifting of the surveying practice.

Former President of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Dr. Atilola, who was the honouree, said, there have been serious disharmony among members especially colleagues in government.

This disunity, he said was drawing back the wheels of previous successes made in the past especially in the area of pillar numbers.

According to him, although the profession is highly regulated, but colleagues in government must work together with other outside in order to make progress.

“A situation whereby the surveyor-general counter signs a log book prepared by a sitting surveyor, who is not nomadic is not in the best interest of the profession.

“This disunity was also responsible in thwarting moves in the past to make surveyor general self accounting. At a time, the institution was even labeled as a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), when the pressure was mounted,” he added.

The former NIS president also stressed that it smacks of indiscipline for members of the regulatory body to do things that will affect members of the profession negatively.

“They are first surveyors before they become members of the body”, he said.

Apart from that, lack of unity, he said has led to the encroachment to the works of surveyors.

He, therefore, urged surveyors to work in harmony to move the profession forward, adding, they have a beautiful profession in their hands.

Dr. Atilola further stressed the need for continued professional development programme in order to make progress in the profession.

In his remark, NIS President, Akin Oyegbola, who was represented by his deputy, Alabo Charles called for unity among members.

He extolled the Lagos branch for coming to celebrate one of their own, who has made immense contribution to the development of the profession in Nigeria.

Earlier, NIS Lagos branch chairman, Gbenga Alara, said, the event was set apart to recognize, honour and celebrate the contributions and landmark achievements of their leaders.

According to him, Dr Atilola has been a distinguished fellow of the Institution, whose qualities endeared him to late Adekunle Kukoyi.

He stressed that members would be expected to look up to some leaders for inspiration and direction in handling some burning issues especially at this crucial time in the of the institution and profession.

Dr. Atilola, the former president of the Institution was a member of the Economic Commission for Africa, Lusaka and Addis Ababa as well as Adhoc Expert’s Group on “ The role of development information ion the economy”-Geo information perspective, from December 2006 to April 2007.

He contributed to the development of surveying and geo informatics both locally and internationally.