Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Thursday described the role of surveyors as pivotal to the growth, development, peace and orderly governance of any society.
He spoke as Special Guest at the National Conference of the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a sub-group of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), held at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre, Port Harcourt.
Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Benibo Anabraba, said the services of surveyors were critical to physical and urban planning, housing development, land administration and infrastructure provision.
He stressed that surveyors played indispensable roles in land use and management, infrastructure delivery, environmental management and conflict resolution, noting that their presence in government ministries, departments and agencies ensured adherence to best practices.
According to him, their contributions to land administration, infrastructure development, environmental management and dispute resolution remained central to sustainable governance.
Fubara noted that the conference theme, “Mapping the Future: The Vital Roles of Surveyors in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” was particularly significant to Rivers State, given its position as the hydrocarbon heartbeat of the nation.
However, he expressed concern over certain unprofessional practices within the surveying profession and urged practitioners to address issues surrounding the acquisition of Rights of Way and seismic operations, which he said had negatively affected the state’s development.
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The governor also objected strongly to what he described as threats to land ownership and title in Rivers State through the alleged issuance of Federal Certificates of Occupancy by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other affiliated federal agencies.
He maintained that such actions contravened Section 1 of the Land Use Act, Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which vested all land within a state in the Governor as trustee on behalf of the people.
Fubara further drew attention to the problem of land grabbing through illegal survey plans and the payment of inadequate compensation to landowners during compulsory land acquisition for oil and gas exploration by licence holders. He urged surveyors to uphold professionalism and fairness in their practice.
He also called on the association to promote ethical and sustainable planning practices that protected the environment, including the preservation of green spaces, marine areas and forest reserves.
However, Pius Eze, the President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, expressed optimism about the 4th annual conference
He urged participants to maximise the opportunity for professional development. He said the conference reflected consistency of vision and dedication to the welfare of private practitioners.
The National Chairman of APPSN, Simepiriye Kalio, thanked leaders and members of the association for their sacrifices in achieving the successes recorded.
Similarly, the Chairman of APPSN in Rivers State, Andy Nwikinane, said the association was working with relevant stakeholders to prevent the infiltration of quacks into the profession.
