The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Thursday, pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to completely review the Survey Coordination Act.
Fashola, who noted that the Act was still relevant, warned against its violations, and directed the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and the state Surveyor Generals to inaugurate monitoring, implementation and enforcement teams (MIET) to monitor surveying and mapping activities across the country.
He spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2022 collaboration meeting with the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies on the implementation of Survey Coordination Act held in Abuja.
Represented by Barrister Aminu Mustapha, Fashola said: “The Federal Government is aware that the Survey Coordination Act is long overdue for review hence Nigeria has continued to evolve and the provisions of the Act have obviously been oblivious of the present realities.
“I wish to assure you of the government’s commitment and support for the complete review of the Act. However, let me quickly say that the Act as it is remains relevant and could still serve many purposes for national security; its current provisions can still be invoked against some violations’’.
In his address, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surveyor Abdulganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, called for a synergy with relevant MDAs and collaboration with the Military, Police and other security agencies for the successful implementation of the Act.
He said: “You will agree with me that implementing the provisions of the Survey Coordination Act requires synergy with relevant MDAs and especially collaboration with the Military, Police and other security agencies’’.
The Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Olusola Sayeed Ayoola, whose paper was titled: “Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Geospatial Intelligence for National Security’’, called for the overhaul of intelligence network in the country, and advocated the full deployment of technological solutions to improve the national security.
