By Abisola THOMPSON
The Surveyor General of Ekiti State, Mr Osalusi Felix said the surveying profession was the foundation for any meaningful development and growth.
Felix, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, said this at the induction of 372 newly qualified surveyors on Thursday in Abuja.
“We charge you all today to be good ambassadors of the surveying community wherever you find yourself and remember you have a very big role to play in the country especially with the advancement in technology in surveying.
“You need to believe in the ability of this particular profession; you have joined a profession which plays very important role in the development and growth of the country and the world at large.
“With the training you have been given, you are now qualified to compete with your counterpart in Nigeria and all over the world.”
He said that the aim of the profession was to produce one surveyor in each Local Government Council all over the federation for better coordination and quality control of surveying activities.
According to the chairman, more recognition of the profession is needed especially in the development of the country and disaster control, among others.
He said that the surveying profession has changed from ordinary measurements to data analysis, adding that inductees should live up to the new challenges.
“The country needs you more to solve most of the environmental problems that we have and you must not disappoint the country.
“Your contribution is critical in providing infrastructural facilities which are key to sustainable national development,” he said.
The Registrar, Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON), Mr Kabir Mansuri charged the newly inducted surveyors to continue to show good professionalism and avoid things that would tarnish the profession.
“The idea is not only to develop your knowledge and skills but also to develop your characters and give passion to the profession.
“Acquire more knowledge, acquire more wisdom, build partnership, build your character and build your signature so that anywhere you are you will be able to represent us as surveyors of Nigeria.
“The council is giving you your certificate and your seal; you have to use the certificate and seal judiciously do not misuse it. It is not your property is the property of the council and property of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
He disclosed that as at today the surveying profession has a total of 3,999 of both living and dead surveyors in Nigeria.
“If you count surveyors per local government we are less than 5 surveyors per local government which is not good and yet surveyors are expected to know every inch of this country.
“You cannot develop what you do not know that is why the basic foundation of development is surveying,” he said.
The President, Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, Mr Alabo Charles called on the new inductees to emulate good qualities from their seniors in the profession and shun bad qualities.
He said that the leaders of the surveying profession would ensure that government passes rules and regulation that are conducive for the incoming surveyors to practice.===NAN
