NIS offers to help FG fight insurgency, herdsmen/farmers clash

AS the spate of incessant killings continue unabated in the country, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has called on the Federal and State Governments to collaborate with it in tackling the security challenges facing the country because according to it, the role of the Surveyors in curbing insurgency, militancy, herdsmen/farmers clashes and oil theft cannot be overemphasized.

This was part of the resolution of the Institution as contained in a communiqué it issued at the end of the 53rd Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Institution held in Bauchi with the theme: ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Land Capital: Surveying and Mapping for Economic Recovery’.

Newly elected National President of the Institution, Alabo Charles, who read the communiqué to Journalists at the Command Guest House, Bauchi on Saturday, said that “governments can partner with Surveyors in mapping of inaccessible security risk areas, using remote sensing and surveillance techniques.”

The NIS also resolved that “Updated geo-database on land use and proper boundary delineation and demarcation of grazing reserves, forests reserves, ranches and others rooted in land and survey, would go a long way to minimise security challenges.”

The conference further observed that surveying and mapping techniques for regular mapping of forest reserves and the nation’s shorelines in real time, would help in monitoring the environment and prevent environmental degradation rather than relying on remediation.

It, therefore, recommended that “regular mapping of shorelines is needful to avoid costly location of structures along the shore and to assist with proper boundary delineation and demarcation especially for riparian communities.”

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According to the communique, the conference suggested that modern geospatial techniques and modelling which are imperative for harnessing renewable energy resources such as Wind and Solar Energies should be developed.

The NIS also believes that the office of the Surveyors-General of the States which have not yet converted to extra-ministerial status should do so, as a matter of urgency in order to aid the functionality, efficiency and prompt service delivery of geospatial Infrastructure.

The Institution according to the communique, during the AGM held an election for the various positions and new set of officers emerged noting that, “the election was conducted using an innovative electronic system that enabled real-time results. This model can be copied for national elections.”

The new NIS President then stated that “it is not enough to provide decision support for policymakers, but as producers of such, it is imperative for Surveyors to be part of the decision making process. Hence, it is mandatory for Surveyors to join the political process.”