By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Imo State Surveyor-General, Surv. Robert Uzodimma Odidika, has tasked practitioners in the surveying profession to always put ethics and compliance to regulations first in their undertakings in order to contribute positively to the society. He also disclosed that Imo State under the progressive leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, holds professionalism to the heights as shown in the quality of projects executed by his government.
Surv Uzodimma Odidika, was addressing newsmen at the sidelines of the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Surveyors Forum (ESF)/Surv. S. G. Wokemba Memorial Lecture which took place at the NIS Imo State Secretariat off Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri, recently. The gathering which attracted the Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru who declared the event open, also had in attendance the President, Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, NIS, Surv. Dr. Matthew Ibitoye among others.
Also attended by his colleagues from other states in the South-East, Surv. Uzodimma Odidika, maintained that the importance of the surveying profession can never be overemphasized, given that the age-long profession was instruments to providing numerous solutions to human problems, as no meaningful and sustainable development can be accomplished on the surface of the earth without the surveying profession in producing suitable maps, plans and charts.
The Imo SG, while making the admonition, also bared his mind on the role of Surveyors in fighting insecurity in relation to the theme of the Memorial Lecture: “The Role of Surveying in Fighting Insecurity in South Eastern Region of Nigeria.” He averred that Surveyors have relevant skills and technology to contribute through collaboration with statutory security agencies in making the society safe, and applauded Governor Uzodimma in his effort to encourage the surveying profession in its quest to mitigate against insecurity.
“Today, we are here to celebrate the surveying profession in the South- East; our contributions towards the wellbeing of the society, and also the Memorial Lecture of an icon in surveying practice in Nigeria, Late Surv Wokemba. The forum also offers us the opportunity to brainstorm on the way forward as it concerns strengthening our capacities towards meeting current challenges. At the end of this gathering, our members would have been enriched in carrying out our critical roles in the society.
“It is also good to say that we are proffering lasting solutions to end insecurity in the South East and Nigeria at large. Beautifully, Surveyors have come up to contribute towards ending this menace because insecurity is multi- dimensional and solutions towards the problem should also follow similar approach. We heard the lecturer and the enormous benefits that geospatial technology could bring in ending insecurity.
“Actually, surveying is a great profession and the mother of other disciplines that can provide various solutions to human problems. If you recall, those who discovered and led the world from the beginning were Surveyors like Mongo Park, Christopher Columbus. They were able to mark boundaries of nations and ethnic groups, and even in gathering of intelligence, they were the first port of call. So, Surveyors are capable of providing many solutions, including ending insecurity and this is what this forum has proffered and brought to public awareness.
“However, I encourage our members to always engage themselves according to the International best practices. They are also urged to listen to the regulators so that collectively we would be able to provide adequate services as well as solutions to the society,” he concluded, while wishing them a successful meeting.
