Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) Tuesday, kicked-off it’s 59Th Annual General Meeting(AGM) with the Theme: “Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence In The New World”, commending Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah on his developments in the state, and for establishing the Enugu State Geographical Information System (ENGIS), saying it will enhance development planning.
The out- going President of the Institution ,Surveyor Dr. Mathew Ibitoye gave the commendation in his address at the event held at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Enugu.
He also commended the Governor for his developmental strides in the state saying projects like the ICC, the new Enugu city,the 5-star hotel were monumental achievements.
Pix: Cross section of Surveyors at the 59Th AGM
Focusing on the Theme, Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence In The New World” Dr. Ibitoye, said as the global community confronts issues such as climate change, rapid urbanization, resource depletion, and public health crises, the strategic application of GEOINT presents immense opportunities.
He said it presents them with opportunities for informed decision-making, effective planning and sustainable development, which according to him, directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the collective desire to build resilient societies.
He pointed out that was time for Nigeria to establish a coordinated National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) in line with global best practices.
“Such a framework will significantly support the actualisation of President Bola Tinubu’s seven -point agenda-especially in infrastructural development and position geospatial intelligence as a key enabler of national progress.
“Once confined to military use, geospatial intelligence has now become indispensable across civilian sectors-governance, urban planning, agriculture, environmental management, disaster response and beyond,” he said.
The out- going president disclosed that high technology costs, data gap, shortage of skilled personnel and concerns about data privacy limit its wider adoption.
“To address these barriers, there must be sustained investments in infrastructure, capacity building and cross-sector collaboration,” he said.
Dr. Ibitoye who will hand over to Chief Surveyor Chukwuemeka Ezeh ,from Enugu state assured commitment to the ideals of their institution.
Speaking while declaring the event open, Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, who was the Special Guest of Honour, thanked the NIS for choosing Enugu for the meeting. He decried the activities of quacks in the society, saying that the proliferation of unqualified practitioners poses not just a professional concern but also a threat to public order and safety, leading to land disputes, litigations, and most times, violence.
Represented by the Secretary to the statement Government,Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah disclosed that
his administration was seeking the active support of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors to confront the menace of quackery by fishing out those involved in surveying practice without the appropriate licensing and persecuting them in order to serve as deterrent to others.
He said his administration was putting in place a regulatory framework that would empower the public to identify, report, and to checkmate the activities of impostors.
The Governor told the audience that his administration enjoys the NIS which had supported many projects in Enugu state. He said the state Government construed 260 Smart schools, 260 Type Two Primary Health Care Centers ,260 Farm Estates in the 260 political wards in the state.
He said the establishment of ENGIS ensured transparency, prevents land disputes among other advantages.
Governor Mbah called on the NIS to work closely with Town Planners, Environmental Managers to for delivery of equitable development
In his speech the chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Enugu State Branch, Surv. Emmanuel Nnamani commended Governor Mbah for upgrading the city within a short period of time. He attributed the recorded achievements of the Governor aspart of their reasons for choosing Enugu as the venue of their AGM .
Nnamani added that the governor understood from the inception of his administration, that Surveying is the bedrock of any meaningful development, and has done a lot to give surveying and mapping its rightful place in the state.
The Keynote Speaker and former minister of Power, , Professor Chinedu Nebo spoke extensively on Geospatial Intelligence. He said Geospatial Intelligence enhances food security, irrigation, ensures equitable distribution and reduces food wastage and minimizes environmental degradation among others
He therefore, urged the Federal government to embrace it, saying, Nigeria needed GEOINT for remodeling and sustainable development.
The event featured technical sessions and exhibitions.The newly elected national officers led by Chief Surveyor Chukwuemeka Ezeh will paddle the affairs of the NIS, having taken over from the Surveyor Dr. Ibitoye led past Executives.
The meeting had over 1000 people in attendance.
Author:Maureen Ikpeama