Nigeria: Infrastructure development of Abuja has been boosted by the use of digital surveying and mapping, said Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.
The minister stated this at the ninth regional seminar organised by the Women-in-Surveying (WIS) of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Abuja.
Akinjide, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie, noted that the adoption of digital surveying and mapping had made planning and development in FCT less cumbersome.
She explained that the technology had been perfected under Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), the Urban and Regional Planning, and the Mapping and Survey Departments of the FCTA.
“The FCT Administration is committed towards making planning and development of infrastructure less cumbersome. This informed the digital surveying and mapping mechanism in the FCT which has resulted in improved satellite imagery and aerial photography. Surveying and Mapping is a service that is fundamental to physical and socio-economic development of any nation and Nigeria is not an exception.
“Surveying and Mapping data are required for development planning such as for the design and construction of roads, railways, airports, waterways, industrial and housing estates, farm settlements and other economic and physical infrastructures. Surveying and Mapping also facilitate monitoring and providing the solution to desertification, erosion, flooding, pollution and other land degradation,” she stated.
The minister advised more women to take up the surveying profession, noting that profession was dominated by the men.
“There is absolute need for more awareness of the profession in schools and also more colleges are needed so as to encourage more women to take up the profession. In addition, a greater liaison between schools and surveyors in the profession and increased information and awareness of career advisers are needed,” she added.
Source: World Stage Group
