Climate Change. AFP Photo/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand)
To protect the present and future generations from disaster risks, policy makers and governments at all levels have been enjoined to utilize the expertise of surveyors.
Former Minister of Industry, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande gave the advise at Adekunle Kukoyi memorial yearly lecture organized by the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in Ikeja.
According to her, skilled professionals like surveyors, should be involved, if the war against climate change and environmental degradation is to achieve the desired results of saving lives and protecting the environment.
Akande, who is also the New Partnership For Africaís Development (NEPAD) Nigeria Business Group Chairman noted that surveyors have the knowledge and expertise necessary for adaptation to climate change in order to protect the present and future generations on possible disasters resulting from this change in nature.
You work with the land, people, political and social institutions in developing, building and maintaining towns and cities.
These put you at a very important position to advocate and lead the agenda to protect the present and future victims of climate related disastersî, Akande said.†
While advising policy makers on tackling the challenges of climate change, the former chairman of Lagos Chamber of Commerce Chairman, reiterated that surveyors are the custodian of accurate land information and administration.
According to her, it is important for decision makers to consult them for accurate and relevant information on land usage and its impact on the environment.
She urged surveyors to ensure developmental projects comply with best practices and environmental standards, adding that the safety of beneficiaries of these projects following completion should be of interest to the surveyors from the planning stage.
Surveyors play an important part in the development process. You are well placed with a unique set of tools and knowledge that gives you the professional responsibility to not only focus on your clients as well as the environment. To achieve ecological sustainable environment, you need an in-depth understanding of environmental, social and economic impacts of a proposed development projectî, Akande stated.†
Earlier, the Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Adeshina Adeleke said the institution decided to discuss the issue of Climate Change at the summit because of its effects on livelihood, stressing that the lecture affords an opportunity to brainstorm on the way to curb this natural phenomenon.
Adeleke noted as the issue of Climate Change is global problem and is being discussed world over, the NIS is also taking a lead as stakeholders in the environment and land matters to add its voice on ways to combat climate change.
Also the president of Nigeria Institution of Surveyors, Akin Oyegbola, who was represented by Prof Afolabi Fajemirokun said the lecture has opened a new vista of practice for surveyors. He urged surveyors to be enterprising in order to identify and solve problems that come across human settlement.
The role, which surveyors can play in mitigating the effects of climate change was an eye opener to all surveyors.
Describing the late Kukoyi as a projector of what the surveying profession should be, he urged surveying professionals to work to ensure that they leave the world at least ton the way they met it especially in environmental matters.
The yearly lecture, the 13th in its edition is organized in honor of the pioneering Past President of the NIS, Late Surveryor Adekunle Kukoyi who was the President of the Institution from 1973 to 1978.
