Surveyors urge govt to utilise mapping for rising insecurity

The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has advised the Federal Government to conduct appropriate mapping of the country to check rising insecurity.The advice followed the recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed that the country has continued to struggle with high crime rates, despite measures to improve security and implement advanced technology.

Speaking at the 39th yearly General Meeting and Luncheon of the Lagos State Branch of the institution, the branch Chairman, Olukolade Kasim, urged the government to work with surveyors to reduce the menace to its barest minimum. He lamented that rising insecurity has hampered the institution’s effort to improve the welfare of members and the profession.

Also, Emeritus Professor of Surveying, University of Lagos, Prof Francis Fajemirokun, called for a partnership between the government and surveyors. He lamented the lack of patronage and high costs of instruments in the country.

Fajemirokun called for more support and stressed that the more properties and lands are surveyed, the more urban centres are developed. He also observed that the improvement in technology and methodology has given a boost to the practice of surveying.

On his part, NIS President, Dr Martin Ibutoyin, lamented the increasing incident of quackery in the profession. “Some of these quacks have been apprehended, tried, and jailed, while some have been fined,” he said.

Ibitoye berated advocates of diaspora practice, saying the laws do not permit it because one must have contact with the property.

On the issue of unethical conduct by members, the NIS President said the council is considering reviewing its punishment and fines. Expounding on the theme: “NIS@90, Brain Drain and Development Growth: Impact on the Surveying Profession in Nigeria”, he noted that brain drain is a cankerworm that has eaten into the fabric of the nation, not only in surveying but also in the medical field.

According to him, many people are leaving the country not only because of the economy but insecurity. Chairman of the branch, Olukolade Kasim, noted that the ja pa syndrome was not bad in itself, as it encourages knowledge transfer to improve surveying practice.