The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Oyo State Branch, has lauded the efforts of Oyo State Government in flood prevention, demanding its extension to all zones in the state.
Mr Ola Shiyanbola, the State Chairman, NIS gave the commendation on Thursday at the inauguration of the association’s multi-million naira plaza in Ikolaba area of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaza was inaugurated by Mr Akin Oyegbola, the President of the association, 11 years after its foundation was laid.
Shiyanbola said that the dredging and widening of channels of rivers and streams in Ibadan metropolis by the state government was a welcome and laudable development.
“This is a great way of preventing flooding during the rainy season. The ongoing Drainage Masterplan for Ibadan is another plus in preventing flood.
“These two projects should not be limited to Ibadan, but should be extended to all major towns in other zones of Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Ibarapa,’’ he said.
Shiyanbola said that the recent flooding in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ajah and other areas of Lagos State and some parts of Niger were signals to all tiers of government to ensure topographical survey of land.
He said that such survey should be carried out before any physical development.
According to him, such efforts will assist the Architects, Engineers, Urban Planners and other relevant professionals that will work on such development.
Shiyanbola also commend the state government on the recent posting of planning officers to all zonal offices, saying that it would ensure efficiency and effectiveness of workers in the discharge of their duties.
“I think other officers in the zonal planning offices should be transferred as well, as this will bring better results.
“We are looking forward to the full implementation of the Survey Amendment Law 2017 as regards verification of survey plans by the end users,’’ he said.
Also, Mr Abiodun Alaba, the Acting Surveyor-General of the State, commended NIS for its positive collaboration with government toward finding a lasting solution to land grabbing and flooding.
Alaba said the collaboration had led to reduction in the cost of lodgement of record copies of surveyors, adding that it had led to increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). (NAN)