13th March, 2018
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has inaugurated the members of Governing Council, Federal School of Surveying located in Oyo State.
While inaugurating the school’s governing council on Tuesday in Abuja. Fashola emphasised that high level of professionalism and spirit of teamwork in surveying were germane to enhancing the nation’s economic development.
According to the minister, activities of professional surveyors was critical to the achievement of the objectives contained in the Federal Government’s Economic Growth and Recovery Plan.
Fashola recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in his New Year message had reiterated his commitment towards rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure so as to boost economic development.
“The infrastructure that we need to build is enormous; So it requires surveys for land, roads, bridges, rail and for power assets.
“Right of Will is also needed before erecting many of these structures in the country including transmission project, mapping among others,’’ the minister said.
He noted that the school, which was established by the 1990 Act of Parliament, was the part of the ministry’s mandate to formulate and implement the policy of the Federal Government on surveying and mapping of internal and international boundaries.
Fashola said the school was also expected to produce professionals in the field of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics and other related programmes for national economy.
“It is challenged to produce skilled manpower, skilled and professional surveyors and related technical competencies.
“The continuity of problems in the society underlines the reason why government appointed the council members to serve appropriately by contributing to the growth of the sector.
The minister, however, urged the council members to bear in mind always the purpose of their appointment, which is to ensure transparency and professionalism in achieving Federal Government’s set objectives.
Fashola urged the council to collaborate with the school’s Chief Executive Officer and management staff to ensure efficiency in service delivery.
He promised that the ministry would always endeavour to avoid undue interference in the statutory functions of the council, saying the ministry would only intervene if the need arises.
In his contribution, the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing II, Alhaji Suleiman Hassan, also tasked the council members to strive towards the restoration of the lost glory of the school.
Hassan, who is a surveyor by profession, expressed confidence in the ability of the council to meet the current challenges faced by the school in order to lift up its standard in line with best global practices.
Responding, the council’s Chairman and the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr Ebisintei Awudu, gave assurance that the council will strive to bring positive developments in the school in line with the Federal Government’s change mantra.
Awudu further assured the ministers that the board would discharge its statutory responsibilities with utmost diligence and honesty in keeping with President Buhari’s zero-tolerance for corruption.