By Davina Ushere/ Blessing Oseghale
BENIN CITY – The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Dr. Innocent Bello, has called on the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors (NIS) to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in their practice, just as he enjoined the Institution to include more women in their executive committee.
Dr. Bello gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Edo State Branch of the NIS to the Agency’s headquarters on Tuesday.
During the meeting, he emphasized that the integrity of geospatial data is foundational to the State’s development.
The Managing Director expressed concern over the activities of unregistered practitioners, noting that “quackery” undermines the profession.
He urged licensed Surveyors to be bold in diversifying their expertise beyond traditional land surveys, noting that they should not be afraid to broaden their knowledge.
“Do not just stick to land surveys; explore critical fields like hydrographic and marine surveying, as well as geodetic surveying.”, he stressed.
In a move to modernize the institution’s leadership structure to meet global standard, Dr. Bello encouraged the NIS to bridge the gender gap within its ranks.
He specifically advised the body to elect more women to its Executive Committee (EXCO), asserting that increased female participation is vital for the growth of the profession.
Dr Bello also committed to periodic meetings to improve operational efficiency and the idea to have local content in most Survey jobs undertaken by government in order to foster policies that will benefit both the State Government and the people of Edo state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NIS Edo State Chapter, Surveyor Odaro Bruno, congratulated Dr. Bello on his recent appointment as Managing Director, EDOGIS and assured the Agency of the Institution’s unwavering technical cooperation.
The Chairman used the occasion to press some demands, noting that the NIS remains committed to supporting the Agency’s mandate of transforming land administration in Edo State through robust technical partnership.