The Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) has threatened to sanction registered surveyors caught encouraging quackery in the profession.
Mr Mohammed Kabir, Registrar of the Council, stated this on Sunday, July 4, 2021 in Lafia at the inauguration of Nasarawa State Chapter of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).
According to him, any registered surveyor found affixing his or her stamp and seal to documents of unregistered members who are operating illegally, would be sanctioned in line with the existing law.
Kabir explained that even if a person had a doctorate degree, but was not registered and licensed by the council to practice, the person would be deemed a quack.
He urged all those interested in the profession to follow the due process of registration instead of operating illegally.
The registrar noted that the profession was very flexible and accommodates every interested person irrespective of academic qualifications.
“Even if an interested person only has Senior Secondary School Certificate, the council has various professional examinations that once the person passes it, he or she is qualified to practice,” he added.
The registrar also used the occasion to call on the Nasarawa State Government to enact a law establishing the office of the Surveyor-General with the necessary powers and independence.
He noted that the Federal Government had created the office of the Surveyor-General since 2005, therefore, all states of the federation should do same in line with global best practices and the law.
Also, Dr David Oluwamotemi, National President, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, stressed the need for states to establish the office of the Surveyors-General.
He disclosed that, so far, only 18 states out of 36 have established the office in line with the law.
Oluwamotemi also decried the activities of quacks and promised to collaborate with the Council and other stakeholders in sanitising the profession.
The NIS national president advised members against compromising standards in discharging their duties.
In his inaugural address, Mr Nathaniel Ibrahim, Nasarawa State Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, listed some of their functions to include land title documentation, cadastral surveying, engineering survey and road design.
Others, he said, were mapping, remote sensing solution, building/civil engineering work and hydrographic surveying among others.
Ibrahim gave assurance that the institution, under his leadership, would ensure that members operate in line with the law without compromising standard.
In his remarks, Mr David Maiyaki, House Committee Chairman on Lands and Urban Development at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, promised to sponsor a bill for the creation of the office of the Surveyor-General in the state.
He promised to lobby his colleagues and the executive arm of government in order to ensure that the bill succeeded and the office established before the end of 2021.
The Registrar of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria also inaugurated a zonal office of the council in Lafia to serve Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states.
By Sunday John
