The Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS) has called on its members to ensure the accuracy of coordinates for land, in a bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order that often arises from land disputes. Speaking at the recent 2023 fellows investiture of 16 members held in Abuja, the institution stressed that surveyors play a crucial role in land dispute resolution.
Land disputes arising from the use of wrong coordinates could lead to serious consequences such as environmental degradation or inter-community clashes, according to Wikipedia. At the event, the guest speaker, Hyacinth Moghalu, expressed concern about the supposed conspiracy between some surveyors and quacks to defraud clients by using forged signatures, distorted survey plans, fake stamps and fictitious facts to push innocent land purchasers into unnecessary litigation.
Moghalu, who was represented by Chigbo Okoli, urged surveyors to take back their profession from quacks and urged the inductees to be the shining light of the profession. He also stressed the importance of living above board in their professional journey and being mindful of what is expected of them, given the responsibilities that come with being a licensed surveyor.
He also explained the critical role surveyors play in land litigation and the advantages of survey plans. Surveyors are pivotal in achieving successful land litigation within a record time, particularly when the surveyor’s evidence is instrumental in determining a case. Disputes over ownership of land and boundaries can cause law and order to break down globally. However, a properly prepared dispute survey plan is a pivotal way of showing the certainty of the identity of the land in dispute, and it is necessary for land litigation to prove ownership of a piece of land through proper identification. Moghalu emphasized that such plans should be prepared by a surveyor who is trained to defend it in court if necessary.
Moghalu also advised members against accepting briefs from both plaintiffs and defendants, reminding them to remain professional in their critical role. In his remarks, the President of the NIS, Kayode Oluwamotemi, congratulated the new fellows and urged them to be available whenever they are needed. The investiture has conferred on them roles as professional elders who should take on greater responsibilities, he added.
The reports that the NIS now has 469 fellows across Nigeria following the investiture of the 16 new members.
