By Titus Mangut.
Surveyors are the unsung heroes of infrastructure development, working behind the scenes to ensure projects are built on solid foundations.
Their expertise is crucial for avoiding costly errors and completing projects on time and within budget and specification.
Despite the fact that they provide templates for engineers and architects, Surveyors often receive less recognition.
Several factors contribute to this, one of which is Lack of awareness, Many people are unfamiliar with the surveyor’s role and responsibilities, leading to a lack of appreciation for their contributions.
Overlapping responsibilities is another reason, Surveyors, engineers, and architects often work together, making it difficult to distinguish the unique contributions of surveyors in infrastructural development.
Limited media representation, Surveyors are rarely featured in the media, unlike engineers and architects, which also contributes to their relative anonymity.
Because of these reasons and others,
In 2005, the Federal Government of Nigeria saw the need to established the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation to give survey profession a prime place in the infrastructural development.
The office of the OSGOF was established under section 4 of the Surveyor Council of Nigeria (SURCON) ACT, cap S17 law of the federation Nigeria 2004. The federal government also directing states to follow suit and each state has its own law establishing the office of the state Surveyor general, for instance in Kaduna state the office of the Surveyor general was established under the Kaduna survey law No 12, 2016, similarly in River state the law establishing the office of the Surveyor general is survey law No 8,2012.
The law clearly spell out provision for the appointment, power and functions of the office of the Surveyor general as well as the regulation of surveying and mapping activities in the state.
However, as of 2021, only 18 states have complied with the directive, a disturbing trend for the surveying profession.
When the Registrar of the Surveyor Council of Nigeria Mohammed Kabir visited Nasarawa for the inauguration of the zomal office of the council In Lafia he appealed for the establishment of the Office of the Surveyor General in Nasarawa state emphasizing its necessity.
A Critical stakeholder and the then Chairman House Committee on Lands and Urban Development, David Maiyaki, also advocated for its creation promising to sponsor a bill for the creation of the office. Although Maiyaki failed to fulfill his promise, across section of practicing Surveyors have made passionate appealed to His Excellency the governor of Nasarawa State to help the survey profession to upgrade the office of the Surveyor general of the state.
Though the governor has done well for Surveyors by recognized their crucial role in Land administration,they are humbly asking for more.
In Nasarawa State, for instance, in November, 2023, the governor approved the confirmation of. Surveyor Ishaya Makama as the substantive Surveyor General, a notable appointment made after thoroughly reviewing his credentials, work experience, and performance while serving in an acting capacity since 2nd Oct, 2019.
This timely appointment comes as stakeholders advocate for the establishment of the office of the state surveyor general as extra ministerial department, making it a strategic move.
Makama’s appointment is a step towards recognizing the vital role surveyors play in infrastructural development. His expertise and experience will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of the state.
Surv.Makama is from Obi Local government Area , Jenkwe Development Area of Nasarawa State.
The Office of the Surveyor General of the state is supposed to be an extra-ministerial department by the provisions of law, which must be asserted to by the governor.
Such law must be published in the Gazette.
The agency is headed by the Surveyor General, who must possess both academic and professional qualifications.
As the apex authority in surveying, mapping, and related matters, the office plays a crucial role in the physical development of the state and the country at large. Surveying and mapping are the foundations of physical development, and when properly harnessed, can become valuable tools for generating higher revenue in the state.