Surveyors in Ondo state under the auspices of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) have expressed deep concern over the increase in incidents of kidnapping involving their members in the state.
The Chairman of NIS in the state, Surv. Kayode Bello, who frowned over the spate of kidnapping and killings in the state, called on the government to provide mechanism to end the insecurity in the Ondo state
Bello who expressed the institution’s displeasure over what he termed unguided statement credited to an aide of the state governor, the Special Adviser onUnion Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Bola Taiwo, over the kidnap of the nine surveyors in the state.
According to him, the governor’s aide exposed all surveyors in the state to danger as targets of kidnappers through his statement that surveyors collect huge amount of money from the clients.
“The statement of the Special Adviser to the state governor, has a great implications on the members of the NIS in Ondo state in particular.
“Our member cannot go to field again to do their daily work because of the statement made by the Special Adviser, he has exposed all the surveyors to danger and our lives is no longer safe.
“People now look at us as someone who have money and can be easily kidnapped because they believe we can afford to pay ransom conveniently.
“So, we are calling on the governor to reconsider the position of Bola Taiwo as Special Adviser”
Bello said members of the institution are now afraid to go to field as result of Taiwo’s statement, and gave the governor’s aide 48 hours to retract his unguided statement.
The NIS Chairman said “The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) Ondo State Branch categorically condemned recent kidnapping of nine members’ of survey team of one of her members.
“We are using this medium to express our disappointment and dissatisfaction on the reoccurring of insecurity situation in Ondo state, and response of one of the political office holders to Mr. Governor, the special adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties (Mr. Bola Taiwo), blaming the kidnaping of the nine workers of the survey firm on the inability of the surveyor to provide for themselves adequate security after collecting huge amount of money from their client.
“While speaking on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser (Union Matters and Special Duties) Bola Taiwo, blamed the nine kidnapped workers for going to the site without security operatives.
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“He blamed them for collecting huge amount of money from their client and failed to spend it on their security.
The NIS Ondo State Branch called on Mr. Bola Taiwo to retract his unguided statement within the next 48 hours.
They warned him to “Refrain from making statements that could escalate tensions or endanger the life of professionals in the state.
“We are calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immediately review the appointment of Mr. Bola Taiwo to prevent recurrence of such utterances capable of throwing the state to chaos “
However, the surveyors cleared the air that those kidnapped by the gunmen were field staff working for a particular surveyors in the state.
He said, “Contrary to the misinformation spread through various channels, all members of the NIS Ondo State Branch are safe and accounted for, there has been no incident of kidnapping involving our surveyors but that of field staff working for a particular Surveyor in the state who were declared missing couple of days ago after going for field work in the suburb of Akure.”
Bello, therefore revealed that the nine kidnapped field staff have regained their freedom through the efforts of community leaders the principal officer of the affected workers.
“Thank God that with the efforts of the community leaders and the principal officer of the affected workers, they have now regained their freedom,” he said
“There is no gainsaying that surveyors and other allied professionals in the civil service of Ondo State don’t embark on field work with security operatives.
“Therefore, it is inappropriate to single out surveying as a profession that must work under security escort.
“One of the major duties of the Government is to provide security for its citizens, hence Government must prioritize making Ondo State safer for all its citizens, rather than shifting blame on victims.
“The government should focus on improving security rather than making insensitive remarks. Government should be more proactive and not wait for bureaucratic process before taking action on serious security matters.
“Swift intervention is needed to ensure the safe return of any kidnapped citizens. Requiring surveyors to hire police escorts for fieldwork is impractical and unreasonable. Security should be a fundamental right of all citizens, not a privilege” he said.
He said the NIS Ondo State Branch is committed to the safety and well-being of its members, saying, “We maintain regular communication with our members and we are actively engaged in ensuring our security during fieldwork and other professional activities call to action.
“We urge the Government to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that all professionals, including surveyors, can work without fear of being harmed.”
The NIS called on the governor to put a round peg in a round hole, saying “We want the governor to reconsider Bola Taiwo appointment and appoint competent person that will be accepted to the people of the state and represent the governor very well.
“Government should give priority to security of lives and property, we as citizens of the state are paying tax voluntarily without any harassments before paying.
” As a professional body, we pay in bulk annually as at when due and we expect the government to provide necessary security for us as citizens of the state.
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