Stakeholders task FG on illegal surveys, boundary mapping

Stakeholders in the built sector have called for strict enforcement of the rules and regulations that will discourage, eliminate illegality and unlawful survey works in the country.

They also stated that effective implementation of the Survey Coordination Act 1962 will go a long way in affecting other sectors, give rise to a thriving and sustainable economy, improve governance and security for the citizens.

Speaking at the Collaboration Forum in Abuja, they said the Federal government cannot continue to treat issues bordering on surveying and mapping in the country with kid gloves, rather, it should foster a good business environment.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said these have become increasingly important considering the developmental challenges the government faced, especially the prevailing insecurity that has bedeviled the country.

Fashola declared, “It is evident that surveying and mapping practice in Nigeria and the world in general, is rapidly changing as the skills required in the past is giving way to new technological innovation. It makes the implementation of the Act not only important but also necessary.

According to him, it is the bedrock of any meaningful development and to achieve it, there must be strict adherence to the regulations guiding the practice of surveying through professionalism by qualified and competent persons.

In a goodwill message, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, called on the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the Armed Forces and other agencies to implement the Act for the security of Nigerians.

The Justice Minister also added, “our nation is not only threatened from outside the borders but more so within the country’s territorial land, such as the menace of kidnappers, bandits and cattle rustlers, which have continued to pose challenges to our collective security.

Dr. Joseph Ochogwu of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, who spoke on Reformation and Implementation of Survey Coordination Act: Issues, Challenges and the Need for Collaboration said the sector is currently at a crossroads and needs policy direction.

“Data are required for planning, such as the construction of roads, railways, airports, waterways, industrial and housing estates, farm settlements and other economic and physical infrastructure, desertification, erosion, flooding, pollution and land degradation,” he said.

Ochogwu also stated that surveying and mapping are essential peace and security tools for conflict prevention, management and resolution in the society as well as critical for development and governance.

Earlier, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, said because of the dynamic nature of the ecosystem and human activities, the implementation of the Act will be impossible without the collaboration of the military and other security operatives.