The Young Surveyors’ Network (YSN) in Ekiti state has called on the National Assembly to enact laws that would criminalize quackery and unprofessional conduct in the profession.
The YSN, which is a sub-group of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, explained that the role of the surveyors in the development of the society cannot be overemphasized, adding that there was a need for the lawmakers to put in place measures that would help protect the profession.
The state chair of YSN, Abiloro Segun Peter, spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the group’s 2023 conference of Harvest of Ideas, with the theme, ‘ Building Sustainable Community: The Role of Young Surveyors in Urban Planning and Development
He said the group was committed to enhancing the growth of young surveyors and securing the future of the surveying profession, saying, “It is crucial to recognize the pivotal role that surveyors play in shaping the urban landscape, contributing to sustainable development and ensuring the harmonious growth of our cities and communities.”
According to him, “ Surveying is the bedrock of any sustainable development; without surveyors, you can’t have effective physical and urban planning and development. If you want to have any construction, we are the first to come to the site and the last professionals to be on site.
“ I will advise the legislature that they should legislate a law that would criminalize quacks in our profession because they have done so much damage in this profession that they even become more popular than the real surveyors.
“ The Federal government should also prioritize the registered surveyors, and laws should be made that allow only registered surveyors to provide services in any construction. Don’t forget we have the Surveyor Council of Nigeria, which is an agency of government.”
Speaking, the chair of the local organizing committee, Akintunde Manuel, said the conference was put together for the young surveyors to explore the opportunities in the profession towards providing solutions to challenges confronting the people in the society.
“ We are discussing in the conference on technological advancement in artificial intelligence and the like because technology is advancing and surveying is the most advanced discipline in the world.
“ Looking at the incidents of building collapse in our country, it is because of quackery, it is because those people don’t patronize the right people in the society.
“ Our leaders should engage the local content to tackle some of the challenges, especially insecurity due to lack of planning, and you can’t plan without proper mapping,” he said.
A keynote speaker and principal director of Bondsurvey Consult Limited, Akinde Akinyemi, called on the government at all levels to embrace the services of qualified surveyors for effective urban development.
He said, “ It is essential to recognize and support the work of surveyors to ensure effective urban planning and development in Nigeria, promoting cities that are functional, sustainable and beneficial to all residents.
“ Let’s take action to improve our recognition and provide the necessary support needed by all and sundry in the entire urban planning, mapping out a sustainable, prosperous future for our cities.”
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