Equip youself with data, constructive mapping to tackle flooding-Surveyors tell FG

Federal Government, through its agency, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has been charged to, as a matter of urgency, establish a distinct department of Surveying and Geoinfomatics peopled with professional surveyors to mange the department in order to effectively combat the ravaging flooding situations in Nigeria.

This is described as a veritable and constructive step to take in order to achieve effective and efficient flood management and control in the country.

Professor Kamorudeen Aleem gave the recommendation while presenting his keynote address at the 2018 Annual Seminar of the Surveyors vanguard held in Ibadan.

Speaking on the topic, "Roles of Survejng and Mapping in Flood Management and Control" Aleem who is a Professor of Surveying and Geoinformatics from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi noted that the separate department in the NEMA would enable the the agency to fill the impact of the surveyors in quick response to disaster.

Professor Aleem during his address

Professor Aleem noted that with necessary surveying and Mapping equipment such as drone and other modern gadgets to monitor the flood it would enable the rescuing team to take immediate action.

"Drone is an aircraft without a pilot. It gathers information about the flood ravaging area and gives us information so that we know what to do so that we can evacuate people from therein immediately. One advantage of drone is that when anything happens to it, no life is lost.

Speaking further, the lecturer explained that the society at large needs to be conscious of their environment and and a adopt preventive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding.

"The Society at large needs to use preventive measure with proper planning and adoption and adoption of effective mitigation measures particularly in areas that are prone to flooding", he said.

Speaking in the same vein, Hydrographer-General of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Surveyor Olumide Omotoso, while emphasising the need for every member of the society to prevent flooding noted that it is not neccessarily the volume of flood   that kills, but also the speed with which it moves. He argued thatmembers of the public should be carried along by the Government and other stakeholders in the war against flooding.

Surveyor Omotoso Adeleke

Survey Omotoso also posited that there the need mapping but before mapping could be introduced, it is important to have data of the society so as to ascertain the areas with flooding challenges as this will make mapping meaningful.

In his speech, the Chairman of the ocassion, Surveyor Adetunji Adeleke said the theme of the seminar was germane and apt because of the prevalent negative influence of flood In the country especially on the metropolis.

In his address, the Chairman of the Surveyors Vanguard, Surveyor Kazeem Ajibike said Surveyor Vanguard is a pressure group within the surveying community trying its best to improve not only the surveying practices, and welfare of menbers but an association that takes up the responsinikity of promoting the good ideals of the institution of surveors as they affrct the larger society.

Surveyor Ajibike stated that the developed countries of the world "are making vigorous efforts to address the issues aimed at mitigating the effects of effects of flooding. For us in Africa, our governments are not giving the issue required attention"

Discussants at the annual seminar including the Secretary  of Fellow of the Nigerian Instututiin of Surveyors, Surveyor Solesi, Surveyor Caleb Oluwadare and Surveyor A. O Liadi, opined that while there is the need for government to increase its synergy with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, they express concern over non-availability of professional surveyors to address issues relating to survey and planning.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Director-General of Physical Planning and Development Control, Townplanner Waheed Adesina Gbadamosi lauded the Surveyors in Oyo State for their support during and after the 2011 flood disaster in Oyo State.

The annual seminar of Surveyors Vanguard which feature award   presentation was attended by the President of the NIS Surveyor Alabo Charlesye Charles who was represented by his deputy; Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Surveyor in Osun State, Surveyor Alamu, the Chairman of the Institution of Surveyor in Oyo State who also doubled as the chief host, Surveyor Aderemi Kobiowu and members from different zones.