Building collapse: Surveyors tasked on planning, mapping
Surveyors across the country have been challenged to come up with recommendations and effective strategies on how to tackle various physical planning challenges confronting the nation.
The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, gave the charge in Awka, while declaring open, the 2017 National Conference on Surveying and Mapping organised by the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation.
Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, disclosed that his government has approved the sum of N44million for the purchase of the stateof -the-art instruments and equipment for the surveying department in the state.
He said his administration attached great importance to surveying and mapping and was prepared to give it its pride of place in the state.
“My administration has collaborated and will continue to collaborate with both private and public surveying professionals to move the state forward, including boosting of the state map,” he said.
Describing the partnership between the state and the surveyors as cordial, the governor hinted that his government has successfully concluded the aerial photography and mapping of the state which can be accessed from the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA).
Earlier, the Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu underscored the importance of the conference, noting that surveyors have contributed immensely to nation building and informed decision making.
Reiterating the role of mapping in increasing the Internally Generated Revenue of various states across the country, Awudu called on states government to beef up the office of the Surveyor General in their states, in view of its enormous attendant benefits.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General, Tukur Burutai, represented by Brigadier-General Adelekan Adeinfan, commended the efforts of the surveyors in the country in carrying the Nigerian Army along in their various programmes.
The 5-day conference with the theme, ‘Surveying and Mapping in Nigeria in the 21st century, Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges’, attracted dignitaries, including the pioneer Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Isaac Adewola, Surveyors General of various states and students of Surveying Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University.