SURVEY LAW AND REGULATIONS AND SURVEY PRACTISE

DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY REGULATIONS IN NIGERIA.

(Q1a,2012)

i. Owner
ii. Public Survey
iii. Registrable Instrument
iv. Survey Department
v. Beacons

ANSWER

i. Owner: Any person receiving rent or profit from any tenant or occupier thereof whether
on his own account or as an agent or trustee for any other person or who would receive
the same if the land were let.
ii. Public Survey: Any survey made for the purpose of defining the boundaries of any land
owned by the public authority (e.g. the government at any level).
iii. Registrable Instrument: Means any document relating to land, the registration of which
is required by any written law.
iv. Survey Department: Includes the department of the Federation or State exercising
functions relating to survey.
v. Beacons: Beacon means a permanent survey mark of any kind made of concrete, metal
or stone or other acceptable materials.

EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING TERMS AS THEY RELATE TO SURVEY PRACTICE. GIVE EXAMPLES.
(Q1a, 2011)

ANSWER
i. Laws: are binding customs or practices of a community i.e. a rule of conduct or
action prescribed or forcibly recognized as binding and enforced by a controlling
authority e.g. CAP 425 LFN 1990 (SURCON Enabling Law) as law is act of parliament
(e.g. National /Staff Assembly)

1
 ii. Regulations: These are pronouncements by an authority in order to control an
organization or a system. Regulations are made by a person or body enabled by law
to perform such function. e.g. Section 21 of CAP 425 LFN 1990 “Pronouncements
made by the Minister of Works”. Regulations are made by bodies established by law.
iii. Ordinance: Is a subsidiary law, a standing rule governing the regulation of a co-
operations or society’s internal affairs.
iv. Decree: Is a command, a formal and authoritative order having the force of law.
Usually exacted by the Military Governments. (i.e. Land Use Decree of 1978)
v. Rules are a set of explicit instruction/principles governing conduct or procedure
within group/body/organisation.
vi. Act: - any law passed by parliament or national assembly which becomes binding on
all its citizens, member or subjects. It has legal base and could be enforced by court
of law.
vii. Edict is an order or proclamation issued by an authority and in this case of Nigeria,
that authority is the Federal/State and Local government.
viii. Urban Land: Means any part of the territory of a state designated as such by the
Governor of the state. While Rural Land means all land not designated as urban land.
ix. Boundary: The definition of a boundary is a matter of law. In a strictly legal sense, it
is the infinitesimally thin line that lies at the interface between one man’s property
rights and those of his neighbour property boundaries may be described numerically,
graphically, verbally or in combinations of these ways.
x. Boundary beacon is a temporary beacon erected by the applicant where a boundary
crosses a public road.
xi. Traverse point is traverse station fixed by surveyor along a boundary line corners of
which are not intervisible.
xii. Line beacon is a survey beacon placed on a boundary line between two corner
beacons.
xiii. Survey work means all survey exercises that includes but are not limited to cadastral
surveys, GPS, Geodetics controls, seismic surveys, oil location surveys, ROW for roads
and railways as may be defined from time to time by council.

2
xiv. Suspension from practise means with holding the right to be issued with beacon
numbers.
xv. A consultancy outfit mean consist of surveyors and allied professional offering survey
services among others. The survey unit must operate under one principal who shall
be a surveyor.
xvi. Surveying means the art and science of measuring, determining, depicting, or
representing the dimensions, extent, features or relative position of portions of the
earth’s surface;
xvii. Surveyor means a person registered or deemed to be registered as such under
surveyors’ council of Nigeria act, chapter 425 laws of federation.

CADASTRAL SURVEY REGULATIONS

Specification is a detailed description of how something is or should be. Survey specifications
are the directives that should be obeyed while planning and executing survey projects, they
control the quality of survey design and geometry, beacon construction, location and
emplacement, choice of instrument and their calibration, fieldwork procedures, office
computation and analysis of results.

Type of beacon Size Remark

Property beacon 18by18by75cm
Cemetery beacon 10by10by60cm
Minesfield beacon 25by15by20cm
Spike Rod pin 40mm diameter
Wall mark A cross „X‟ with id number Where boundary wall intercepts survey line
Right of way survey

RIGHT OF WAY SURVEY

Right of Way and Setback knowledge are important to avoid building illegal structures
(structures that don’t conform with urban planning rules) .

3
According to the Ministry of Physical Planning website, a setback is the distance to be observed
between the building line and property boundary, water bodies, right of ways of infrastructure
facilities and utilities.
Below are the setbacks for the different right of ways.
i. Federal High way – 90m right of way 45 m from the centre to the property line.
ii. State High way-60 m Right of way 30 m from the centre to the property line.
iii. Local Road (State) -24m, 18m,15m,12m (12m, 9m, 7.5m, 6m right of ways respectively from
the centre to the property line as applicable)
iv. Building line of property from the outer edge of NNPC oil pipeline – 15m
Required Setback from Different Water Bodies
Ocean / sea – 150m
Lagoon – 50m
River – 15m
Seasonal – 15m
Gorges (New and Built-up areas) – 10m
Distance to Rail Line
Railway line – 21m
Unmanned railway crossing – 60m.
Required Setback from Different Power Lines
132KV Powerline – 15m
330KV Powerline – 25m
11/33KV – 5.5m
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE BEACONS USED FOR PROPERTY BOUNDARY SURVEYS AND
THOSE USED ON THE MINESFIELD IN ALL RESPECTS. (Q2B,2010)

Answer: The beacons used for property boundary surveys are made of sand, cement of 18cm x
18cm x 75cm. While the minesfield is dome shape at the top with the dimension 25cm x 15cm x
20cm. The diagrams are shown below.

4
 18cm

18cm

10cm Rod pin

Ground level
Concrete
pillar
65cm

LOCATION OF PROPERTY BOUNDARY BEACONS

1. At all corner points
2. At all changes in direction
3. On all straight long lines at not more than 250m for layouts and 400m for farmland.
INTERVISIBILITY
1. Where possible, adjacent boundary beacons should be intervisible
2. Where not possible, multiple observations from a pair of stations should be used to fix the
beacon.
PLACEMENT OF PROPERTY BOUNDARY BEACONS
a. Boundary corners should not be demarcated with beacon where boundary walls exist.
5
Demarcate of corners in fenced layout
a. Where the fence adjoins a road, a nail is driven into the wall and numbered with the allotted
prefix and number.
b. Where the fence is not adjoining a road, a nail is driven into the intersection of the walls and
number appropriately.
SURVEY OF IRREGULAR BOUNDARIES
a. Where part of the boundary is irregular (boundary along a river or stream). The traverse
stations along the river are pegs established as close to the river as possible and off sets taken
to the river.
b. Where a river constitutes a boundary, property beacons shall be placed only at such points
between which the river is the boundary well above flood level.
WITH REFERENCE TO RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE
CONTROL OF SURVEY PRACTISE IN NIGERIA. (Q4a,2019)

(a) DISCUSS THE RULES OF EHTICS AND PRACTISE AS IT RELATES TO SURVEY BEACONS IN
SURVEY PRACTISE IN NIGERIA.

OR

WITH REFERENCE TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF SURVEY PRACTICE
AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, STATE THE PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING:
(Q7i,2011)
i. MATTERS RELATING SURVEY BEACONS

ANSWER

(a) The issuing of beacon numbers to a surveyor shall only be by prepayment of

prescribed fees to SURCON and Nigeria institution of surveyors (NIS) as contained in
the schedule of fees, provided full returns have been made for previous numbers
issued within the limits approved by council.
(b) A surveyor shall apply in writing for and collect as many beacon numbers as he can
prepay for, but not more that the limit approved by council at a time, from the
chairman of the ethics committee of his state. Survey jobs requiring more. Than the
limit approved will receive the required number of beacons as each job demands, on
presentation of a sketch/ drawing that will justify the request.

6
 (c) The surveyor shall apply in writing for and collect beacon numbers only with
evidence of the job(s) he intends to execute in a state but within the limits approved
by council or as particular jobs require.
(d) Monthly returns of beacon numbers used shall be made to the ethics committees of
the relevant state and where no beacon number is used a “nil return” shall be made.
(e) Survey beacons shall bear SURCON identifying letters “SC” as well as state
identifying letters such as “KD” for Kaduna state.
(f) The chairman of ethics committees is empowered to allot identity alphabets to
surveyors practicing in their states.
(g) A surveyor shall charge survey fees in accordance with the provisions of the
professional scale of fees for consultants as approved by the federal ministry of
works and the bill of quantities, approved by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (N.
I. S).
A Surveyor shall also prepay in addition to the payment for survey beacon numbers a
part refundable deposit fees of an amount, per job, as specified in the schedule of fee
to the SURCON State Ethics Committee.
(h) No Surveyor shall remove, tamper with or recap any survey beacon emplaced by
another Surveyor in the course of carrying out a property survey.
(i) QUESTION: (Q1e,2014)
(j) ANSWER
(k) Each State has it identity and prefix for e.g Rivers State is SC/RV the prefix can be A, B
etc where
(l) SC stand for SURCON
(m) Rv stand for Rivers State Sc/Rv

AD39

YOU ARE REGISTERED AS A SURVEYOR AND YOU ARE GIVEN THE SURCON CERTIFICATE AND THE SEAL,
EXPLAIN THE ETHICAL USE OF THE SEAL AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE IN CONFORMITY
WITH SURCON RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF SURVEY PRACTISE. (Q5B,2018)

ANSWER:

A surveyor is obligated to promote the highest level of professional practice to the end of delivering high
quality and efficient service to their clients. As a surveyor registered under the Surveyors Council of

7
Nigeria Act 1989 the ethical use of the council’s seal states that I shall not duplicate the common seal of
SURCON (Surveyors council of Nigeria).

It is of utmost importance that the certificate issued by the surveyors council of Nigeria Act 1989 is
exhibited conspicuously in my office. I should also reflect my conduct in performing my job duties as
excellent and satisfactory to my clients.

CONDUCT RELATING TO THE COUNCIL’S SEAL ETC

OR
WHAT IS THE POSITION OF SURCON WITH REGARDS TO RULES AND REGULATIONS AND
PENALTIES ON THE FOLLOWING? (Q1, 2009)
A) DUPLICATION OF SURCON SEALS AND BEACON NUMBER
B) ADVERTISEMENT OF SURVEYING SERVICES
C) UNDERCUTTING OF FELLOW SURVEYORS
D) CERTIFICATION OF SURVEY RECORDS AND PLANS

ANSWER
a) The position of SURCON rules and regulations and its penalties on duplication of SURCON
seals and beacon number is that no surveyors shall duplicate SURCON seal and beacon
numbers. It shall not duplicate plan no and also not back date plan, chart and survey
record.
a. All beacon numbers shall be by prepayment of prescribe fee to SURCON and NIS.
b. The surveyor shall apply by writing for and collect as many beacon numbers he
can prepay for but not more than the limit approved by the Council.

c. He shall apply for beacon number with evidence of the job.

d. Monthly returns of beacon numbers used is made to ethics committee when no
beacon is used a nil report is given.

b) Advertisment
A surveyor who advertises his services by means of media or circular or prepaid
announcement shall be guilt of an offence and judge guilt by the disciplinary committee.
The penalty shall be:

8
 i) He shall be made to pay N100, 000.00 in the first instance
ii) He shall be made to pay N150, 000.00 at the second instance
iii) He shall be suspended from practice for six months at the next instance
iv) A combination of payment and suspension
v) Striking the name of the surveyor off relevant part of the register.
A Surveyor may however notify his clients by post or press publication of any change of
address or in the constitution of his firm.

c) Undercutting the fellow surveyor

A surveyor shall not offer a services at reduced cost or fees or/and shall not compete
with the fellow surveyor by undercutting his services.
Penalty:
1. A payment of not less than 10% of the approved rate
2. A payment of not less than 20% of the approved rate at the second instance
3. Suspension from practice for a period of six months.
4. A combination of both payment and suspension
5. Striking of name off register

d) Certification of record plan, data

i) A surveyor shall not certify any plan, record or chart for any land he did not
supervise or certify himself of its correctness of entries in the field book, calculation and
working plans.
ii) He shall not certify a plan he knows is incorrect

REMUNERATION OF SURVEYOR. (q7,2011) QUESTION: (Q1c ,2014)

(a) A surveyor shall be remunerated in accordance with the provisions of the Professional
Scale of Fees for Consultants as approved by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Bill
of Quantities as approved by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (N. I. S).
(b) A surveyor shall not offer his services at reduced fees nor shall he compete with any
other Surveyor by undercutting the fees for his services.

9
(c) Any Surveyor, who contravenes the provisions of this section of this Rule and
Regulations, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to the penalties specified in
section 22.2 of the Schedule of Penalties to this Rule and Regulations.
A surveyor shall not offer a services at reduced cost or fees or/and shall
not compete with the fellow surveyor by undercutting his services.
Penalty:
1. A payment of not less than 10% of the approved rate
2. A payment of not less than 20% of the approved rate at the
second instance
3. Suspension from practice for a period of six months.
4. A combination of both payment and suspension
5. Striking of name off register
POINTS
PRIVATE PRACTISE BY SURVEYORS (NON PRINCIPAL) IN PAID EMPLOYMENT
(a) Surveyors in paid employment shall not undertake any other survey practise, except where
the condition of service expressly permits the surveyor to do so.
(b) Consultancy units in institutions of higher learning offering Surveying Geoinformatics, after
enlistment with SURCON, shall be allowed to practise.
(c) Any Surveyor, who contravenes the provisions of this section of the rules and regulations, is
guilty of an offence and liable if adjudged guilty by the disciplinary committee to the penalties
specified in section 22.1 of the schedule of penalties to this rules and regulations.
The penalty shall be:
i) He shall be made to pay N100, 000.00 in the first instance
ii) He shall be made to pay N150, 000.00 at the second instance
iii) He shall be suspended from practice for six months at the next instance
iv) A combination of payment and suspension
v) Striking the name of the surveyor off relevant part of the register

ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES

A surveyor on instruction to proceed with a professional work upon which another surveyor was
previously engaged shall cause notice of the facts to be given to the Ethic committee of the state
where the survey is situated and shall take all reasonable care to satisfy himself that there are
10
no outstanding obligations between the previous Surveyor and the client before he proceeds to
undertake such works.
Any Surveyor, who contravenes the provisions of this section of the rules and regulations, is
guilty of an offence and liable adjudged guilty by the disciplinary committee to the penalties
specified in section 22.1 of the schedule of penalties to this rules and regulations.
The penalty shall be:
i) He shall be made to pay N100, 000.00 in the first instance
ii) He shall be made to pay N150, 000.00 at the second instance
iii) He shall be suspended from practice for six months at the next instance
iv) A combination of payment and suspension
v) Striking the name of the surveyor off relevant part of the register

 A Surveyor shall be deemed to be resident in a state, if his office/headquarters is in that

state. But where he maintains an approved branch office, such office shall be manned by a
Surveyor. (Q1b,2014)

 Surveyor practising fees are due on the first day of January every year. This provision
notwithstanding, as from the first day of February every year a Surveyor who has not paid
the practising fees will not be entitle to be issued with beacon numbers until the fees are
paid.

QUESTION; INDUCEMENT FOR JOBS (Q7,2011)

ANSWER
A surveyor who offers benefits or gifts to agents or offers any form of inducement to anybody in
order to be assigned survey works, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction the penalties
specified in section 22.1 (a), (b) or (c) of the Schedule of penalties to this Rules and Regulations.
i. He shall be made to pay N100, 000.00 in the first instance
ii) He shall be made to pay N150, 000.00 at the second instance
iii) He shall be suspended from practice for six months at the next instance

11 SURVEYOR FULL
DESCRIPTION/

DEFINITION
THE SURVEYOR’S ROLE AS AN EXPERT WITNESS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

NOTE:

A surveyor is a professional who provides services in geospatial data measurement and

management. Accurate location and description of boundaries of a piece of land is an
essential pre-requisite in awarding holding right to land. The surveyor is the professional who
has the relevant knowledge and skills to delineate boundaries of parcels, position the corners,
and determine the size of a piece of land. It is also part of the surveyor’s job to capture
natural and cultural features within and around the parcel, including adjoining plots of land.
All these pieces of information are depicted on a map representing the said parcel in
appropriated scale, azimuth and reference framework.

The information completely describes the parcel so that it is not overlapping an adjoining plot.
This is the basis for legal ownership of land.

However, land ownership conflicts do arise, in which two persons or group of persons lay claim
to a portion of land in which both have interest. The portion of land over which two adjacent
parties lay claim is called land in dispute. Usually, land in dispute represents a portion of land in
which the claims of both parties overlap. To say the least, land in dispute is a major source of
conflicts between families, communities and even nations. Conflicts arising from land in dispute
had resulted to huge loss of lives and properties. This loss would be unnecessary if there was a
mechanism for land ownership conflict arbitration that is hinged on the surveyor as an expert
witness.

As an expert in land mapping and management, the surveyor can be called upon by both parties
involved in land dispute to help them determine the boundaries of their separate claims. The
court can also call on the surveyor’s expert advice to help it adjudicate based on evidence. In
each case, the surveyor as an expert witness has essential roles to play in the administration of
justice.

The first role of the surveyor is to search and gather evidence, especially documentary evidence,
upon which decisions shall be based. Documentary evidence indicating positions of monuments
and other features that could be used to establish (or re-establish) disputed boundaries will
enhance administration of justice. All evidence should be examined impartially, and the surveyor
should not allow himself to be biased in favour of any of the parties.

Having satisfied himself as the correctness of all documented evidence, the surveyor shall then
proceed to define the boundaries as claimed by both parties. To do this impartially, the
surveyor shall meet with the first party and let them take him along their claimed boundary.
While surveying the boundary, the surveyor shall take note of all evidences on the ground and
all relevant information given by the party. Afterwards, the surveyor shall invite the second
party and do with him/them as he did with the first party. The evidences so gathered shall be
recorded in the surveyor’s field books. The surveyor shall then produce an up-to-date plan of the
disputed area showing clearly the claimed boundaries of the two parties.

12
Equipped with documentary evidence, the surveyor should state the facts fairly, correctly and
firmly. He should remember that he is in court as an expert witness and shall not take side
overly or covertly with any of the parties. As an expert witness, the surveyor is to assist the
court with evidence that will allow it come to a just conclusion. He is not a judge, jury or counsel
to any party, and should not behave as one.

When the court has passed judgment, the surveyor shall be expected to return to the field and
define or redefine the boundary as decided by the court. The record of this new survey shall be
carefully kept, so that the monuments can be easily re-established in the future.

Surveyor’s role as an expert witness in the administration of justice cannot be underestimated.

The court and indeed the parties in land dispute need the surveyor’s involvement which will
assist in arbitration for the benefit of all.

COMMENT ON THE CORRECTNESS OR OTHERWISE OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

(Q1B,2010)

i) WITH THE ABOLITION OF COUNTERSIGNATURE A SURVEYOR IS NO LONGER REQUIRED

TO LODGE MAPS/PLANS WITH APPROPRIATE STATE SURVEY DEPARTMENTS

Answer: With the abolition of countersignature a surveyor shall still be required to lodge maps
and plans with the Surveyor General of the state.

II) WHERE A RIVER CONSTITUTES A PROPERTY BOUNDARY BEACONS SHALL BE PLACED

ABOVE FLOOD LEVEL AT EVERY CHANGE OF DIRECTION

Answer: Where a river constitutes a property boundary, beacons shall be placed at such point
where the river forms boundaries with the property and should be placed well above
flood level.

III) THE DECISION OF THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE TO PENALIZE FOR UNPROFESSIONAL

CONDUCT IS FINAL

Answer: The decision to penalize for unprofessional conduct that the disciplinary committee is
final as they are charged with the responsibility of considering and determining any case
of unprofessional misconduct as may be reported by the panel.

IV) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA SHALL HOLD OFFICE FOR
FIVE YEARS.

13
Answer: According to the surveyor registration council of Nigeria ACT CAP 425 Laws of the
Federation 1990, the tenure of the president of the council shall be three year.

V) NO EXCAVATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNCOVERING A SURVEY BEACON SHALL BE

MADE IN ANY STREET OR ROAD.

Answer: No excavation for the purpose of uncovering of survey beacon shall be made on a street
or road unless a red flag by the day and a red lamp by night is provided and displayed to warn
approach traffic.

THERE ARE SEVERAL RULES FOR DEMARCATION OF LANDED PROPERTY BOUNDARIES

DEPENDING ON PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES. DESCRIBE ANY SIX OF SUCH SITUATIONS.
(Q3A,2011)
Answer: The roles governing the demarcation of landed property boundaries depending on the
prevailing circumstances are:
(i) Normal Case: in the normal case, boundaries shall be laid out in straight lines with as
few angular points as may be necessary for effective definition and each change of
direction shall be marked by a property beacon.
(ii) River Boundaries: where a river constitutes a boundary, property beacons shall be
placed only at such points between which the river is the boundary. Such beacons
shall be emplaced well above flood level.
(iii) Long Straight Boundaries: on long straight boundaries, property beacons shall be so
emplaced that consecutive beacons are indivisible and not more than 250 meters far
layouts and 400 meters for farmland.
(iv) Boundary Co-terminous with Reserve: where a property lies on both sides of a
path/road, survey shall be broken into separate parcels so as to preserve the Right of
Way (ROW).
(v) Where the boundary is co-terminous with the reserve of a road, railway, pipeline,
power line or other features, property beacons shall be emplaced at a perpendicular
distance from the feature to conform with the statutory width of the reserve and
when the feature is curved the beacons shall be emplaced at such intervals as well
enable the boundary to be adequately defined by the straight lines joining successive
beacons.

14
 (vi) Inconvenience to Traffic: no property beacons shall be placed where it would
interface with, or be inconvenient to traffic control beacons should be established
along wall ways and utility setbacks.

WITHOUT ENTERING INTO THE DETAILS OF THE MEASURING TECHNIQUES, OUTLINE THE
FIELD ACTIVITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING:
(a) RE-LOCATION OF MISSING PROPERTY BEACONS
(b) SETTING-OUT PROCEDURE FOR CADASTRAL LAY-OUT
(c) SUB-DIVISION OF PLOTS INTO SPECIFIED PARTS
NOTE: ASSUME THAT THE EXISTING SURVEY REGULATIONS DO NOT PERMIT THE USE OF
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) FOR SUCH SURVEYS. (Q6, 2012)
ANSWER
(a) SETTING-OUT PROCEDURE FOR CADASTRAL LAY-OUT; A layout is supposed to be designed
on a plan that has been well detailed. It has however been observed that most of the plans
on which layouts have been designed do not actually meet these requirement; the effect of
this is that the design on paper invariably does not translate exactly to what is expected on
the land. Adjustments, therefore, have to be made by the surveyor to make sure that certain
items on the design are held sacrosanct.
(i) The principle of whole to part is employed primarily as a standard method of
executing any layout project. In this principle, all the blocks contained within the
layout are set out making sure that all road reserves maintain their widths, and no
block is completely omitted. The setting out is done using angles and distances
extracted from the design which are also related to monuments and features already
existing on the plan.
(ii) Parcellation into plots: let us think of a situation where we have ten plots on a line
with each plot measuring 30.48m, we therefore expect to have the length of the line
to be 304.8m. we measure the distance from one corner peg (truncation peg)
To the other, and probably we obtain 301.5m. the next step is now to divide our
301.5m by 10 to obtain 30.15m as the size for each plot along that line; all pillars are
put in line using physically determined distance.

15
 (iii) Traversing: the traversing is done by observing angles at points at the extreme
corners while making sure that all the stations in between the corner points are truly
in line, and the distances from one station to the other are measured.
(iv) Computation: computation for coordinates is first of all done block by block. After
the coordinates of the corner stations are obtained, the coordinated of the
intermediate points are determined by alignment (same bearing for each line)
(b Relocation of missing beacons: To relocate missing beacons we assume that the coordinates
of the missing beacons and other existing beacons within the neighbourhood
Are known and in the same coordinate system. The existing beacons are first of all confirmed to
be in-situ.
(i) Starting from existing beacons, traverse is run toward missing beacons,
coordinating pegs that are planted as the traverse is run. With the coordinates of
pegs known, it will be possible to establish pegs which are less than 10m to the
missing beacons. After adjusting the traverse, the final coordinates of the pegs are
obtained. Having the distance measurement correction for sag, slope, since these
maybe negligible for short distances while still allowing the instrument to be focused
to a nearby station.
(ii) Relocation of the missing beacons: compute the bearings and distance to locate or
re-establish the missing beacons. After relocating or re-establishing the missing
beacons, run another traverse from the existing beacons to the re-established
beacons. Make minor adjustments if necessary.
(c) Sub-division of plots into known specified parts

Let us look at a situation where we need to sub-divide ABCDE into two parts of 3:5. The first step
is to compute the area of the entire figure, next compute the coordinate of F’
along the line ED. Use the coordinate of F’ to compute the area ABF’ and hence the area of the
triangle BF’F. assume BF’=BF, and with area of BF’F known, calculate FF’ using the formula
16
 Area =

Re-adjust the position of F and re-compute the area ABF’E until the required area of ABFE is
obtained. Set up the theodolite at the first position of F and then establish the point F.
YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO PRIMARY CONTROL BEACONS
ALONG A BUSY URBAN ROAD. WHAT OFFICE AND FIELD PROCEDURES WILL YOU ADOPT IF
THERE ARE SIMILAR CONTROL WITHIN 2000 METRES OF THE LAST BEACONS? GIVE AN
INVENTORY OF SURVEY EQUIPMENT TO BE USED. WHAT CORRECTIONS WOULD YOU APPLY
TO YOUR MEASURED DISTANCES?

ANSWER

COMMENT: This is a 1996 question. GPS equipment was not in use in the country in 1996, so
the examiners expected the answer to enumerate control extension using rigorous high-order
traversing.

Office Planning
Planning for the survey shall begin in the office, where the coordinates of the control points shall
be searched and a topographic map of the project area shall be studied.

Field Reconnaissance
The existing controls shall be located on the ground. Appropriate and intervisible points shall be
identified. These points shall serve as intermediate points on which traverse shall be run to the
probable location of the lost control points.

Equipment Selection
In order to carry out a high-order traversing, the following equipment shall be needed:
1. Wild T3 of 0”.2 least count
2. Targets mounted on tripods
3. Optical pluments
4. EDM equipment

Field Procedure
Horizontal angles shall be measured with Wild T3 measuring 0”.2. All angles will be observed on
face left and face right equally spaced round the circle. The minimum number of positions shall
be 16. Observations shall be made by night.

The theodolite, EDM and targets shall be centred to within 1mm over the survey mark using
optical plummet.

Bearing shall be controlled by azimuth observations taken every 10 stations. Azimuth closure at
azimuth check points must not exceed 1”. 5 per station.

Heights shall be observed by spirit leveling. Distance shall be measured with EDM equipment
with temperature to +1oC and pressure to +5mm of mercury at both ends of the line.
The traverse shall close back on the existing control. Position closure shall be within 1:100,000.
17
 Corrections to be applied to measured distances shall include:
1. Instrument constants
2. Reflective index correction
3. Slope correction
4. Sea-level correction
5. Arc to chord correction

THE FIGURE BELOW IS A PLOT OF LAND BELONGING TO MR. JOHN AKPEGHE. HE HAS
APPROACHED YOU FOR THE PIECE OF LAND TO BE DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN HIS TWO
SONS SUCH THAT THEY HAVE EQUAL FRONTAGE ON ONE BOUNDARY LINE (DE) ABUTTING
EDO TEXTILE MILL ROAD.
(A) EXPLAIN IN DETAIL WITH DIAGRAM, HOW YOU WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE TASK UP TO THE
POINT OF SETTING OUT THE DATA ON THE GROUND
(B) LIST THE INFORMATION THAT SHOULD APPEAR ON THE DEED PLANS TO BE PRODUCED
ASSUMPTION: THE PIECE OF LAND IS A CLOSED TRAVERSE WITH KNOWN AREA AND THE
BOUNDARY BEACONS ARE PLOTTED TO SCALE BY COORDINATES.

ANSWER

We establish a point F, midpoint between D and E. A line FA is drawn to corner A. so that the
two plots have equal frontage as shown in the diagram below.

The coordinates of F can be derived from direction DE (az) and length DF (d), thus

18
 Distance and bearing of FA can be calculated from

Area ABCDFA is calculated by coordinate method. Assuming the area is greater than the
required area, we move line FA to FG, being the correct position of the dividing line. It then
means that triangle FAG is the excess area, which is known.
Angle FAG (ά) can be derived from bearings of FA and FB. Therefore,

The coordinates of G can be derived from direction AB (az) and length AG (d), thus

Setting out G in the field can be done from A. setting instrument at A, we take orientation from
E or B and so set out G. position of G can be checked by finding out if it falls in line AB, and if the
computed distances AG and BG agree with measured distances.

Information that should appear on the title deed plans include:

1. Title and location
2. Scale
3. Origin / Datum used
4. North arrow
5. Size (Area or Length)
6. Contour interval
7. Coordinates of control
8. Coordinates system
9. Beacons
10. Boundary colour (in Red)
11. Bearing and distance colour and location on boundary line
12. Units (metre, degree, etc)
13. Contour colour (in brown)
14. Connection survey (key plan in blue)
15. Features drawn
16. Water body (in blue)
17. Drawn by who?

19
A PLOT OF LAND BOUNDED BY 10 BEACONS HAD 4 OF THE BEACONS MISSING. CALCULATE
THE COST OF RE-ESTABLISHING THE MISSING BEACONS GIVEN THAT THE COST OF THE
PERIMETER SUREY IS N200,000. (Q7A,2018)

POINTS: The cost of re-establishment of lost or destroyed beacons is

D= x
y + 2.5 (Z)
Where D= cost of re-establishment

X = number of missing beacons

Y= total number of boundary beacons

Z= current cost of perimeter survey

The cost of retracing, uncovering, detection or identifying lost or unfound beacons

shall be determined using the formula

D= x
y + 0.5 (Z)
ANSWER

The cost of re-establishment of lost or destroyed beacons is

D= x
y + 2.5 (Z)
Where D= cost of re-establishment

X = number of missing beacons

Y= total number of boundary beacons

Z= current cost of perimeter survey

Therefore D= 4
+ 2.5 (200,000)
10

= 500000+0.4= N500,000.4

WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE LAND USE PANEL THAT WAS SET UP ON 16 TH
APRIL 1977? (Q1,2019)

20
POINTS: LAND USE ACT CHAPTER 202 LFN 1990. CREATED IN 29TH MARCH 1978. Also known as
CAP L5 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004.

An Act to Vest all Land compromised in the territory of each State (except land vested in
the Federal government or its agencies) solely in the Governor of the State , who would
hold such Land in trust for the people and would henceforth be responsible for allocation
of land in all urban areas to individuals resident in the State and to organizations for
residential, agriculture, commercial and other purposes while similar powers will with
respect to non-urban areas are conferred on Local Governments.(27th March 1978)

ANSWER

The terms of reference were;

a. To undertake an in-depth study of the various land tenure, land use and conservation
practices in the country and recommend steps to be taken to streamline them.
b. To study and analyze the implications of a uniform land policy for the country
c. To examine the feasibility of a uniform land policy for the entire country, make
recommendations and propose guidelines for their implementation
d. To examine steps necessary for controlling future land use and also opening and
developing new lands for the needs of the government and Nigeria’s growing population
in both urban and rural areas and make appropriate recommendations.

DISCUSS THE LAND USE ACT, 1978 UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES:
a) PURPOSE
b) POWERS OF THE GOVERNS IN RELATION TO LAND IN THEIR RESPECTIVE STATES.
c) MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY BEACONS.
d) COMPENSATION PAYABLE ON THE REVOCATION OF A RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY.
e) IMPROVEMENTS OR UNEXHAUSTED IMPROVEMENT. (Q4,2012)

ANSWER

a. The purpose of the Land Use Act, 1978 is listed below:

(i) To remove the controversies generated by land.
(ii) To simplify management and ownership of land.
(iii) To assist all citizens that own land in any part of the Country.
(iv) To enable Government to plan and zone land for particular uses.
(v) To unify all existing land tenure system between the Northern & Southern Nigerians.
b. Power of a govern over land in each state
(i) To grant statutory Right of Occupancy.
21
(ii) To grant easements appointment to Right of Occupancy.
(iii) To demand rental for such land granted
(iv) To impose a penal rent for a breach of any covenant in a Right of Occupancy
(v) To revise such a rent for the property.

c. Maintenance of property beacons; The occupier of a statutory Right of Occupancy shall at all
times maintain in a good and substantial repair to the satisfaction of the Governs or of such
officer as the Govern may appoint in that behalf. All beacons or other marks by which the
boundaries of the land comprised in the statutory Right of Occupancy are defined.

d. What is the compensation payable under the land Use Act of 1978?
(i) An amount equal to the right, if and, paid by the occupier.
(ii) Compensation for buildings, installation, or improvement there on.
(iii) Crops on the land.
(iv) Economic trees there on.

e. Improvement or unexhausted improvement

Improvements or unexhausted improvements mean anything of any quality permanently

attached to the land directly resulting from the expenditure of capital or labour by an occupier
or person acting on his behalf and increasing the productive capacity e.g. building, plantation,
wells, irrigations etc.

(a) The statutory right of occupancy holder shall have the sole right to and absolute
possession of all the improvements of the land;
(b) The holder and the occupier of customary right of occupancy that was revoked shall
be entitled to compensation for the value at the date of revocation of their
unexhausted improvements.
(c) The holder of a certificate of occupancy binds himself to pay to the Governor the
amount found to be payable in respect of any unexhausted improvements existing on
the land at the date of his entering into occupation.
(d) The Governor has the power to inspect the land comprised in any statutory right of
occupancy or any improvements effected in the day time and the occupier shall give
permission and free access to the governor

22
(b)SUCCINCTLY DISCUSS UNDER THE LAND USE ACT THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS FOR
ALIENATION AND SURRENDER OF RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY. (Q1,2019)

POINTS: Land Use Act chapter 202 of the laws of the federation of Nigeria 1990. Act
established in 27th March 1978. LAND USE ACT CHAPTER 202 LFN 1990. CREATED IN 29 TH
MARCH 1978. Also known as CAP L5 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004.

ANSWER

Under the Land Use Act from, the relevant provisions for alienation and surrender of right of
occupancy would be discussed below;

Firstly, it is unlawful for any customary right of occupancy to be alienated by assignment,

mortgage, transfer of procession, sub lease or otherwise without the consent of the Governor in
some cases such as were the property is to be sold or under the order of any court; or without
the approval of the appropriate Local Government.

Secondly, it is unlawful for the holder of a statutory right of occupancy granted by the Governor
to alienate his right of occupancy by assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession without the
consent of the Governor,

For the Governor to provide consent, the person who needs the new right of occupancy for the
said mortgage should not have gotten any one previously with the consent of the Governor. Also
in terms of renewal of a sub-lease, a presumption that the Governor has consented to grant
statutory right of occupancy is unlawful.

The Governor when giving his consent to statutory right of occupancy, he would require an
instrument as an evidence of the assignment, mortgage or sub-lease from the holder.

THE ROLE OF SURVEYOR UNDER THE LAND USE ACT OF 1978 INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING;

a. Demarcating the corner of the plot with survey beacon

b. Property surveys

c. Re-establishing of missing beacons

d. Subdivision of the plots

e. Establishment of control

f. Preparation of cadastral map

ENUMERATE THE SURVEY ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

FOLLOWING LAWS (Q3b,2019)

23
a. CAPL5 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004

OR

EXAMINE CRITICALLY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAND USE ACT AS RELEVANT TO SURVEYING
AND ENUMERATE THE SURVEY ACTIVITIES YOU FEEL SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THESE
SECTIONS. (Q2a,2010)

ANSWER

The Land use Act is an act that vests on the governor of the state the power to hold the land in
urban section in trust for the people and would be responsible for the management and
allocation of such land for the people or organization for agricultural, residential, commercial
and other purposes.

The administration of land in each state of the federation is done by the governor of the state. In
doing this administrative function the surveying profession is needed.

Surveying is used in demarcating the urban land from the rural land that is in the definition of
boundaries. In the settlement of dispute and resettlement of persons affected by revocation of
right of occupancy the surveying profession is needed.

FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF LAND, THE LAND USE ACT 1978 MADE PROVISION FOR
TWO TYPES OF COMMITTEES IN EACH STATE. DESCRIBE HOW THESE COMMITTEES ARE
ESTABLISHED, THEIR COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS. (Q2,2011),(Q3,2014)
ANSWER
For effective land management in Nigeria the Land Use Act 1978 made provision for two (2)
committees in each state. The committees are:
(i) Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC)(3 people)
(ii) Land Allocation Advisory Committee (LAAC)(determined by the governor)

Composition
The Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC) shall consists of not less than two (2) persons
possessing qualifications approved for appointment to the civil service as Estate Surveyors or
Land Officers and who have had such qualifications for not less than five (5) years and a legal
practitioner while the Land Allocation Advisory Committee shall consists of such persons as

24
may be determined by the Governor acting in consultation with the Local Government and shall
have the responsibility of advising the local government on any matter connected with the
management of land.

Functions
The Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC) have three (3) functions
(i) To advise the Governor of issues connected with management of land.
(ii) To advise the Governor on matters connected to resettlement of persons affected by
the revocation of rights of occupancy on the ground of overriding public interest.
(iii) To determining disputes as to the amount of compensation payable under the Act for
improvements on land.

LAND ALLOCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LAAC)

All lands within any state which have not been designated as urban area are under the control
and administration of the respective local government of the state. Land allocation advisory
committee (LAAC) is to be set up in each LGA of state and consist of such persons as will be
determined by the Governor in consultation with local government.
FUNCTIONS
b. To advice the local government on any matter connected with the management of land
within the LGA.

(b): STATE BRIEFLY THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE GOVERNOR OF A STATE CAN
REVOKE THE RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY EARLIER GRANTED AN OCCUPIER UNDER THE LAND USE
ACT.
ANSWER:
The conditions under which the Governor of a state can revoke the Rights of Occupancy earlier
granted are:
(i) Overriding public interest
(ii) Alienation by the Occupier by assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession, sub-
lease of the Right of Occupancy or part thereof-contrary to the provision of this Act.
(iii) Required by Governor (State or Local) for public purposes.
25
 (iv) Requirement for the land for mining purposes or oil pipelines, or for any purpose
connected therewith.
POWER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OVER LAND

i. To grant customary right of occupancy

ii. To grant customary right of occupancy not in excess of 500 hectares for agricultural and 5000
hectares for grazing purposes.

iii. Shall enter upon, use or occupy for public interest any land within the area

iv. Where customary right of occupancy is revoked. LG shall allocate alternative land for use

v. Where LG do not agrees to pay compensation within a reasonable time, the Governor may
assess compensation and direct local government to pay such.

QUESTION (Q3c,d,e,2014)

ANSWER

Urban areas are those areas in a State designated as such by the Governor.
The occupier of the statutory right of occupancy shall maintain at all time in good and repair
all beacons by which the boundaries of the land comprised.
Compensation payable when a right of occupancy is revoked if it is for overriding public
interest. The holder and the occupier shall be entitled to compensation for the value at the
date of revocation of their unexhausted improvement.

WRITE SHORT NOTE ON SYSTEMATIC LAND TITLING AND REGISTRATION (SLTR) AND EXPLAIN
ITS ADVANTAGES OVER SPORADIC LAND TITLING AND REGISTRATION (Q6,2018)

POINTS: LAND USE ACT CHAPTER 202 LFN 1990. CREATED IN 29TH MARCH 1978. Also known
as CAP L5 LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004.

An Act to Vest all Land compromised in the territory of each State (except land
vested in the Federal government or its agencies) solely in the Governor of the
State , who would hold such Land in trust for the people and would henceforth be
responsible for allocation of land in all urban areas to individuals resident in the
State and to organizations for residential, agriculture, commercial and other

26
 purposes while similar powers will with respect to non-urban areas are conferred on
Local Governments.(27th March 1978)

ANSWER

Systematic land titling and registration (SLTR) is a system of registration whereby a specific
geographical location is steadily worked through so that all adjacent parcels of land within
the area are surveyed and judged upon, issued titles to and registered.

The land reform aspect of the transformation agenda of the federal republic of Nigeria
entails the Systematic land titling and registration of all land parcels I n Nigeria with a view
to creating a land a market economy, towards empowering the rural dwellers whose asset,
land, is currently locked up as ‘dead capital’ due to lack of relevant titles.

The Land Use Act (1978) was enacted to bring the various land systems in the country and to
ensure that all Nigerians have easy access to land. The act vested the land in the territory of
each state on the state governor to hold in trust for the citizens. The act created statutory
right of occupancy for a term of 99 years in urban areas and a customary right of occupancy
for unlimited term in rural areas. But the Act made provision for the registration of statutory
right of occupancy not for the customary right of occupancy. Therefore the registration of
the statutory right of occupancy is carried out sporadically as there is no provision for
systematic land titling.

The SLTR has several advantages over the sporadic system of land titling and registration.

1. The SLTR would empower Nigerians from all walks of life to have easy access to secured
title to land.
2. The system once implemented by the land reform committee will ensure that land
cadastral boundaries and title holdings are demarcated in such a way that community,
hamlet, village, village areas, towns etc will be recognizable.
3. This also means that the country will be mapped at relevant scales to provide large scale
topographical data base. And all parcels of land will be properly surveyed and title deed
plans will be prepared and issued to land owners.

(b) ENUMERATE 3 CHALLENGES THAT SURVEYORS FACE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SLTR IN

NIGERIA AND SUGGEST WAYS OF OVERCOMING THEM.

ANSWER

The 3 challenges surveyors face in the implementation of SLTR in Nigeria are;

1. Delineating of land parcel boundaries; the SLTR approach aims at defining each parcel
of land holding very clearly in order to facilitate the issuance of land title. The delineation
of the land can be made by two methods
a. Approximate boundaries marked on satellite or aerial orthophoto maps.
27
 b. Systematic boundary demarcation by field survey methods followed by charting
on a base map.

With option (a), it is faster and cheaper to obtain orthophoto maps and delineate land
parcel boundaries on them but the approach has the problem of boundary identification
both on orthophoto map and on the ground especially in forest areas and areas of
permanent cloud cover in the southern Nigeria. The option (b) would be a lot more
expensive but it would be time efficient and would save time from having to make
improvements after the data has been gotten if the approximate method (Option a) was
choosen.

2. Large scale mapping: large scale topographic maps are required in SLTR for field
identification, charting and registration purposes. Nigeria is poorly mapped although the
revision of these maps and conversion into digital data base is being carried out by the
office of the surveyor general of the federation. Still the status of large scale maps is
appalling. Only very few state capitals have current large scale maps for planning and
development purposes. This can be remedied by the land reform committee, by making
use of this opportunity to adequately map the country. Geographic Information systems
should be adopted and together with rapid survey method, large scale mapping and
creation of topographical database of the entire country can be achieved.
3. Field data capture: adopting the systematic boundary demarcation would require going
to the site to ascertain the limits of parcel of land. This is usually done after adjudication.
In some cases, the land owners may have a dispute over the extent of their land parcels
and can resort to court cases. In this instance, the land can be surveyed but not
registered. To reduce this challenge, it is very important to sensitize the land owners of a
community to be surveyed. They should be informed of the time of survey and educate
them on the benefit of the exercise. A stake holders meeting should be held with the
community during which the land owners would be requested to mark the boundaries of
their plot before the date fixed for the actual survey.

LAND USE ACT OF 1978 HAS BEEN UNDER CRITICISMS BECAUSE

i. The land use act of 1978 vested all states or urban lands on the Governor

ii. The non-inclusion of a surveyor whose duty is to identify, delineate parcel of land in the
allocation committee. Only estate surveyor, land officers and legal practitioner were included.

iii. Lack of reference to the type of accuracy of survey document to be produced when applying
for C of O

iv. The act does not specify who should be the chairman of the committee

28
THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNORS IS A PROBLEM IN THE REVIEW OF THE LAND USE ACT.

ANSWER

Land is the part of the earth surface projecting out of water, on which human existence
depends. Almost all of man’s socio-economic activities take place on land. Man’s food, shelter,
clothing, medication and other necessities come from land. In fact, man was taken from land
and at his demise shall be committed to land. Without land man cannot have livelihood.

Land use is a term indicating the use to which a portion of land is put. Land is used for all of
man’s economic activities, and so the use of a portion of land determines the economic
productivity of the land. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate and coordinate land
use for optimum productivity and benefit of all people whose livelihood depends Definition of land
on the land.
Objectives of LUA
That was the premise upon which the military government of Nigeria enacted the
No provision for
land use decree of 1978, which later became an act and was enshrined in the
expired C of O
constitution. Specifically, the objectives of the act include: the unification of all
tenure systems that existed before the act, to remove the controversies generated After 99yrs the Cof O
by land, to simplify management and ownership of land, to assist all citizens to own is useless
land, and to enable government to have access to land for public good, plan and
zone land for particular reasons. Affordability and
inconveniences of
The enactment of the act is commendable in view of its objectives and the checking getting c of o
of activities of land speculators especially in the southern part of the country. Gives the gov power
However, as soon as it became operational, the act was found to have taken away to choose urban
people’s right to land and given it to the governors. In the following sections an areas
attempt shall be made to explain the need to review the land use act, and that such
review will be resisted by the governors.

The act introduced the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) as the singular most important
document that assures a holder the right to land. The act however does not make provision for
renewal of an expired C of O. This omission makes the C of O fragile, not conclusive an
evidence of the right a holder has to a piece of land. And a time will come when the document
will become weak as collateral for loans. At that time the holder will lose the right to his land.

Contrary to its claims, the act does not guarantee equitable distribution of land. A forensic
analysis of the act reveals dual land administrative system. Sections 5 and 6 of the act empower
the governor and local government to grant statutory right of occupancy and customary right of
occupancy respectively for a definite period of 99 years. Section 34 and 36 section make
provision for land held before the commencement of the act as if the holder were a holder of
statutory right of occupancy or customary right of occupancy as the case may be, with an
indefinite period. Thus, the act does not guarantee equitable administration of land.

Another reason the land use act should be reviewed is that it actually succeeded in turning
landlords to tenants and impoverished Nigerians. The act takes away citizens’ right to own
land they can call their own since the land can be revoked anytime by the state. Under the
29
act, Nigerians do not have perpetual right to land any more than a tenant has right to
perpetually occupy a rented space. Moreover, the act removes economic wealth-creation
attributes of land by removing right of families and individuals to develop private layouts
without the consent of the governor.

Furthermore, the inconveniences and delay in securing C of O makes acquisition of land

expensive and arduous. How many Nigerians can afford the fees state governments place on
acquisition of C of O? Thus, owning a house is almost impossible for average Nigerians.

The act gives enormous powers to the governors. It opens by saying, “All land in a state is
vested in the governor who shall hold such land in trust for the people”, and so transfers
ownership of all land to the governors. The governors decide who to grant right to land, and
there is no provision for anybody whose right to land is denied to seek justice in a court of
law.

The act declares that a governor can designate parts of the state as urban area under general
conditions specified by the National Council of State which is made up of the governors
themselves. So a governor can declare all the land in the state urban land. Thus, the powers of
the governors overshadow and make nonsense of the powers of management of non-urban
land vested in the local government.

ENUMERATE THE SURVEY ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE

FOLLOWING LAWS (Q3b,2019)

b. LAND DEVELOPMENT (PROVISION FOR ROADS) ACT

ANSWER

c. LAND DEVELOPMENT (PROVISION FOR ROADS) ACT

The survey activities involved in the implementation of the Land Development Act are

1. Division of the total surface area of the land into plots and ensuring the approved road
widths is observed and marked on the ground.
2. Producing survey plans and submitting 4 survey plans on behalf of the land owner to the
prescribed authority.

WRITE SHORT NOTE ON THE FOLLOWING: LAND DEVELOPMENT (PROVISION FOR ROADS)
ORDINANCE (Q2b,2014) (Q2bii,2012)

ANSWER

The land development (Provision for Roads) ordinance is an ordinance to make provision for any
necessary reservation of land for roads where land is sold off in lots (plots).

30
WRITE SHORT NOTE ON THE FOLLOWING: BUILDING LINE REGULATIONS. (Q2bi,2012)
(Q2a,2014)

ANSWER

An ordinance to provide for the regulation of the position of buildings and other obstructions
with reference to roads. The ordinance is applicable as follows:
a. Prescribe the line in which buildings shall be created in such town or village; or
b. Prescribe the distance from the centre of the road within which no one shall create an
obstruction in such town or village; or
c. Prescribe the distance from the centre of the road within which specified obstructions may
not be placed.

QUESTION: (Q1,2013)

ANSWER

i) Town Lands is the same thing as urban lands The Land Use Act empowered the Governor to
mark out the area of the territory of the state, which is designated as urban. Which is the
same in the survey act but the different is just the name.

ii) a surveyor is entitled to practice not only in his state of residence but also anywhere within
the country as long as he or she follows the procedures

ii) SURCON decision is not the final, because where our application in respect of any
registration is refused by SURCON for any reason whatsoever, the application may with
prescribe period and in the prescribe manner appeal from the decision of SURCON to the
Federal High Court, the court can set aside the decision of Council.

v) Local Government can grant customary rights of occupancy in respect of an area of land for
agricultural and grazing purpose for area of land not exceeding 500 hectares for
agricultural purposes or 5,000 hectares for grazing purposes except with the Governs
consent.

THE 7-POINT AGENDA OF THE PRESIDENT UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA REQUIRES THE INPUT OF
A SURVEYOR TO SUCCEED. DISCUSS. (Q1,2009)

ANSWER
31
32
THE PRESIDENTIAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM (PTCLR) WAS RECENTLY
INAUGURATED BY THE FGN, DISCUSS THE COMMITTEE UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADINGS.
(Q1,2018)

i. JUSTIFICATION FOR CONSTITUING THE COMMITTEE

ii. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE
iii. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

ANSWER

POINTS: PTCLR was first inaugurated in April 2009 by late president umaru musa yaradua

Reconstituted in November 2011 by former president Goodluck Ebele jonathan , GCFR.

Chairman, President of PTCLR is Prof Peter Adeniyi

Pilot states: Ondo and Kano

The PTCLR was inaugurated by the federal government with a mandate to carry out land
cadastral mapping of the entire country in such a way that every land ownership holding can
clearly be demarcated. The land reform committee represents government’s first positive
response to the cry of surveyors that the country needed to be mapped for
sustainable development. The committee represents the first phase for the
much awaited projects of mapping the entire country. Mandate of the FG

For many years, advocacies had gone to government to invest in mapping Surveying & military
the entire country. Surveying and mapping had been relegated to the relationship
background since the military took over the government of the country. Goal advantage of the
Hence, public structures and infrastructures have collapsed because they mandate
have no mapping basis that can sustain them. Consequently, the surveying
Functions of the
profession became a second-class profession in the eyes of the military.
committee
However, things began to change for the better when the country returned
to democratic rule in 1999.

With the mandate of the committee, it means that soon the country would be digitally
mapped. This would make available for the country digital maps and digital map products such
as topographic maps at various scales, ortho-photo mosaic and Digital terrain models. These
products will be available off the shelf and in formats acceptable to various users.

The committee was inaugurated with a

The functions of the committee are listed below;

a. To review pre-land use act and land tenure in existence in different parts of the
country with a view to putting the land tenure system in Nigeria into a historical
perspective.

33
 b. Collaboration with and provision of technical assistance to
Review preland use act and
states and local government areas to undertake land
tenure systems
cadastral nationwide.
c. To establish a National Depository for land title holdings National depository
and records in all states of the federation and the federal Land valuation
capital territory.
d. To establish a mechanism for land valuation in both Demarcated lands

urban and rural areas in all parts of the federation.

e. Ensuring that land cadastral boundaries and title holdings
are demarcated in such a way that community, hamlet, village, village areas, towns
will be recognizable.

B. EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND REFORM TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

ANSWER

Land reform generally involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding land
ownership. It may consist of government initiated or government
backed approach to property redistribution of land as in the case of
Nigeria, an outright transfer of ownership of land from citizens to Demarcation of land boundaries
the state. Secured tenure and land rights

Land reform is of utmost importance to the development of the Job opportuinities

nation. This is explained in paragraphs below;

In terms of the effect of land in people’s lives, Land is perhaps the

single most important natural resources that affect every aspect of living beings in the sense of
their food, clothing and shelter. If the land is not freely accessible to people living in a nation, it
affects the economy and development of that nation. Land reform would enable an effective
collaboration and provide technical assistance to state and local government in undertaking
cadastral survey and to ensure the demarcation of land boundaries and title holdings are
demarcated in such a way that communities, villages, towns are recognized. It also provides the
responsibility of resolving land ownership conflicts and make recommendation for mechanism
for valuation in both rural and urban areas.

Also land reforms assist in making it easier for securing of tenure and land rights of citizens
which is an important foundation for economic development of a nation. Land titles are the
main sources of collateral for obtaining credit from informal and established financial
institutions. Furthermore securing land rights and land titles is very important for all socio
economic classes in the nation’s economy especially to the farmers whose pervasive poverty to
date derives from not having definitive property rights appropriate to a market economy.

In addition, Land reforms also play a huge importance in providing job opportunities in the
nation. With the land reform mandate been upheld, the role of surveyors in providing their

34
expertise is needed to capture, process, analyze and present geospatial data to produce maps
and map products. Also, other form of skilled and unskilled labour needed in carrying out land
reform operations in different states is very important. Modern surveying and mapping
techniques would also be adopted thereby creating more exposure for surveyors in the nation.

THE PRESIDENTIAL LAND REFORM COMMITTEE IS A BLESSING TO SURVEYORS

NOTE:

The presidential Law Reform Committee was set up by government with a mandate to carry out
land cadastral mapping of the entire country in such a way that every land ownership holding
can be clearly demarcated. As soon as it was inaugurated, the committee realized the
enormous tasks in its hands. The mandate places on the committee the much-awaited mapping
of the entire country. The committee’s mandate can therefore be summarized as surveying
and mapping of the entire country in a scale as large as 1:1000. This is undoubtedly a big
blessing to surveyors.

In order to successfully carry out its mandate, the committee admitted that it would need to
adopt modern surveying and mapping techniques with the use of satellite imageries, digital
mapping procedures and Geographic Information System (GIS). The committee also confessed
that technical expertise of surveyors cannot be over emphasized in getting the job done; that
surveyors shall be fully needed to capture, process, analyze and present geospatial data to
produce maps and map products. Alarmed by the number of surveying experts, the amount of
man-hour, and the amount of money it would take to map the entire country, admitted the
indispensable role surveyors play in geo-data management and earth mapping.

The land reform committee represents government’s first positive response to the cry of
surveyors that the country needed to be mapped for sustainable development. The committee
represents the first phase in the much-awaited project of mapping the entire country. For many
years, advocacies had gone to government to invest in mapping the entire country. Surveying
and mapping had been relegated to the background since the military took over the rulership of
the country. Hence, public structures and infrastructures have collapsed because they have no
mapping basis that can sustain them. Consequently, the surveying
profession became a second-class profession in the eyes of the
military who should know better. However, things began to change
for the better when the country returned to democratic rule in 1999. Why was ptclr formed

Surveying/military relationship
The first blessing came on the profession when the democratic
government listened to the voice of reason and resuscitated the OSGOF creation
Federal Surveys Department. It was turned into an extra ministerial
2009. land reform committee
department and renamed Office of the Surveyor-General of the
was created
Federation (OSGOF).
Digital mapping of the country
Another blessing landed on the surveying profession when the next
administration took over in 2009 and the land reform committee was
inaugurated. If the mandate of the committee is anything to go by, it
35
means that soon the country will be digitally mapped. This would make available for the
country digital maps and digital map products such as topographic maps at various scales,
orthophoto mosaic and Digital Terrain Models. These products will be available off-the-shelf
and in formats acceptable to various users.

Moreover, digital mapping of the entire country will provide a basis for the implementation of
Land Information System (LIS) and development of multi-purpose cadastre. These computer-
based systems make the traditional works of surveyors easier while it opens up new and
challenging business opportunities for land and land-related professionals. Thus, surveyors can
take their legitimate place in modern technology-driven areas of space exploration, people and
property location, location-based services, navigation, communication and resource
management.

In conclusion, surveying and mapping are in the jurisdiction of surveyors. The Office of the
Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) is the coordinator and supervisor of all survey
projects in the country. Having admitted its need for surveying technical expertise in order to
successfully carry out its mandate, the committee will eventually depend on surveyors to do the
job and OSGOF to supervise. Therefore, the surveyors’ much-desired project of mapping the
entire country shall be carried out by Nigerian surveyors through the instrumentality of the
committee. The Presidential Land Reform Committee is therefore a big blessing to surveyors in
Nigeria.

DISTINGUISH AMONG A SIGNATURE HAWKER, A QUACK SURVEYOR AND A PARA SURVEYOR

AND EXPLAIN WHY THE THREE ARE DANGEROUS TO NIGERIA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(Q3B,2018)

POINTS: Quasi surveyors (termed by the surveyors) are also called Para surveyors (termed by the
committee)

How well though are these very few professionals being patronize? It is sad to note that
the larger percentage of survey jobs is carried out by individuals locally known as ‘quack
surveyors’. Such individuals lack the proper and relevant training necessary to make
them fit to practice professionally. As they do not qualify for membership of the
supervisory bodies, their practice of the profession is criminal in nature. Moreover,
these quacks and unregistered practitioner parade themselves as genuine surveyors to
their prospective unwitting client and, more often than not, collude actively with land
fraudsters to cause mayhem. They distort survey plans, forge signatures, steal (Free
from Acquisition) stamps, fabricate size of properties to make it look big but by the time
they measure it its some hundred meters short, they fail to put the beacon numbers on
the ground to reflect the points where the property starts and stops, they create
fictitious existing roads and generally destroy the plan of the whole community.

ANSWER:

In developing the nation, Nigeria, certain vices have to be eradicated. For the purpose of this
essay, the vices which are Signature Hawker, A Quack Surveyor and a Para Surveyor would be
36
described and reasons stated on how they are dangerous to the
nation development.

Firstly before these three terms is described, the term ‘Surveyor’ has Definition of a surveyor
to be defined according to CAPS 18 Laws of the Federation of Define the terms
Nigeria, 2004. Surveyor is a person that passes the qualifying
Explain the negative impacts.
examination for registration, recognized or conducted by the council.
Or if he or she is not a Nigerian, they hold a qualification granted
outside Nigeria which for the time being is accepted by the council
and he or she is by law entitled to practice for all purposes as a surveyor in the country in which
the qualification was granted. Also a surveyor is described as one who holds a certificate
recognized by the council and has not less than two years post-qualification practical experience
in the profession and has passed an examination approved by the council. He or she also has to
have satisfied the council that they are of good character, has attained the age of 21 years, and
they have not been convicted in Nigeria or elsewhere of an offence involving fraud or
dishonesty.

Therefore, a Signature Hawker is a surveyor that appends his or her signature on a survey plan
not produced by him or her and was not involved in the execution of the survey work from data
acquisition to data processing and to the producing of survey plan or maps. He or she was
issued a survey plan by a quack surveyor and the surveyor signed the plan for a fee with little or
no effort in checking the data or plan issued to him.

A Quack surveyor is an individual that has not been registered according to the CAPS 18 Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as a Surveyor in the first part of the register, Pupil Surveyor in
second part of the register, Survey Technologist in third part of the register or Survey Technician
in the fourth part of the register and is practicing the survey profession. This individual executes
the survey work and gives the plan or map to the signature hawker for his or her signature on it.

The third term is the Para Surveyor. Para surveyors were introduced by the presidential technical
committee on land reform. The committee aim to train high school certificate graduates for a
period of three month on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global positioning
Systems (GPS), surveying and Geo-informatics skills. This persons were termed by the committee
has ‘Para Surveyors’.

Either of this individuals i.e. signature hawker, quack surveyor and para surveyor is dangerous
to the nation’s development. For instance, no due diligence from the signature hawker in
ensuring that the data brought to him or her by the quack surveyor is accurate. This can cause
land disputes among rightful owners of land. Also a piece of land might have been surveyed by
another surveyor and unknowingly to the signature hawker, he or she append their signature on
the plan, thereby creating conflicts of interest.

A quack surveyor meets a layman who has no idea about the knowledge and importance of a
surveyor in addressing their survey needs and convinces the layman in contacting him for a
37
survey job at a lower cost not taking into consideration the approved scale of fees. This brings
grievances and disputes if the job is not well executed and the layman may end up paying twice
of the initial fee they paid for the survey job. Time, money, labor is lost in the cause of the
project. Either the project is repeated therefore spending more money or it is abandoned. Either
ways, this is not good for the nation’s development.

Lastly, Para surveyors introduced by the committee are waste of time and government money.
Why spend so much on training individuals to be skilled and in the future, they may or may not
use the knowledge for the nation building. There are fresh graduates in the surveying and geo-
informatics field actively seeking for practical experience in the field. This surveying and geo-
informatics graduates can be employed part time for the projects executed by the land reform
committee. Para surveyors are not useful in building the nation. The funds spent on training and
the skills imparted on them will be a waste to the economy of the nation.

THE PRESIDENTIAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM WANTS TO TRAIN QUASI-

SURVEYORS. IS IT NECESSARY?

NOTE:

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform was mandated to provide technical
assistance to government in its efforts to undertake land cadastral nationwide, such that land
cadastral boundaries and title holdings are demarcated appropriately. As soon as it was
inaugurated, the committee realized the enormous tasks in its mandate. It was clear that its
mandate required a comprehensive cadastral survey of virtually the entire country.

Moreover, being a group of experts in land and land-related professions, the committee
accepted the use of new technologies such as remote sensing and satellite imageries, Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and appropriate computer
software. The committee also admitted it would need expertise of high level professionals for
collection, processing, analysis and structuring of spatial data into geoinformation that would
be needed to produce a nation-wide cadastre and its continuous updating. The committee
agreed that it would need thousands of such manpower to achieve its mandate.

However, the committee thought these skills could be taught to persons with high school
certificate over a three-month course period. Such persons, the committee declared, can be
regarded as “para-surveyors.”

The committee has realized an enormous problem, but wanted to face it with kid-gloves.
Through the committee the federal government is trying to do land use reform without touching
the land use act. But no land reform can take place in the country when the act remains in its
original form. Any land reform in the country will reduce the powers of the governors as vested
on them by the land use act. And the governors will not allow it.

38
Moreover, the plan of the committee to train “para-surveyors”, which professional surveyors
rightly see as “quasi-surveyors”, is illegal and a waste of tax payers money. These assertions are
further explained below.

Training of “para-surveyors” to do the work of surveyors is illegal. The law recognizes four levels
of personnel in the surveying profession. They are survey technicians, survey technologists, pupil
surveyors and surveyors. Each of these personnel is distinct from the other in terms of their level
of knowledge and survey works they can carry out. The law stipulates that any person
purporting himself to be a surveyor by carrying out any survey work shall be guilty of an offence.
It is only a matter of challenging the committee’s error in a court of law and the attempt to train
“para-surveyors” shall be declared illegal.

In a forum, the chairman of the committee rightly identified training of “para-surveyor as one of
the problems the committee will have to face in its tasks. The question is, “Why create the
problem in the first place?” He said it was like taking the meat from the mouth of professional
surveyors in order to save cost. The committee will find strong resistance from the professional
body.

The idea of training “para-surveyors” is tantamount to a waste. While trying to save cost, at it
claimed, the committee will actually be wasting fund. The persons trained, being secondary
school leavers, will not need the half-complete skills imparted to them. Neither will they be of
any use to the profession afterward. The fund spent in their training and the skill imparted will
therefore become a waste.

Instead of training “para-surveyors”, the committee is advised to use graduate surveyors. There
are thousands of them seeking to be profitably engaged. By engaging them to collect geospatial
data, the committee will be doing great service to the graduate surveyors, the profession and
the nation at large. The graduate surveyors need little or no training to capture geo-data, which
is one of the basic skills they learnt in school. So the committee will save fund. The professional
body will never object to the idea since it has been its concern that graduate surveyors lack
practical field experience needed to take their place in national development. The committee’s
employment will therefore give the graduate surveyors such needed practical experience.

Moreover, unlike the so called “para-surveyors”, graduate surveyors need the skill which will
continue to be useful to them in their career. Furthermore, using graduate surveyors will reduce
the number of graduates roaming the streets in search of jobs, helping to decongest the labour
market of idle hands. Finally, the graduate surveyors need not be engaged as full-time
government officials. They can be engaged as ad-hoc staff the same way INEC engages NYSC
corps members.

In conclusion, the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform has an enormous task of
mapping the entire country. While carrying out its mandate, the committee will need to do lots
of consultations and capacity building. Training of “para-surveyor” should be struck out of their
list of what to do, seeing it is a waste and unnecessary. The committee is advised to use
graduate surveyors instead. By so doing, the committee will be a blessing to the young
graduates, the surveying profession and the nation as a whole.

39
WITH REFERENCE TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF SURVEY PRACTICE
AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, STATE THE PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING:
(Q7aii,2011)
ii) MATTERS RELATING TO SURVEY PLANS
ANSWER
a) All survey diagrams, plans and charts prepared by a Surveyor shall be sealed and shall bear a
certificate containing the name, address and live signature of the Surveyor who prepared
them.
(b) All record copies of survey plans on tracing cloth or film prepared by a Surveyor shall be
lodged with the Surveyor-General of the State in which they were made within a month of
the date of completion.
(c) No Surveyor shall certify copies of another Surveyor’s plan for any reason, without consent
from the Surveyor that made the plan originally, except in the case of a deceased Surveyor.
(d) No Surveyor shall backdate survey plan.
(e) Only the Surveyor who made a plan can withdraw same for amendment after lodgement
with the Surveyor General of the State concerned.
(f) For deposition of plans with the Surveyor-General and other services to be rendered by a
Survey Department, a Surveyor shall pay such amount of fees as the State Surveyor-General
may fix for services.
(g) A Surveyor who contravenes the provisions of this section of this Rule and Regulations id
guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to penalties specified in section 22.1 of the
schedule of Penalties to this Rules and Regulations.

QUESTION: (Q1a,2014)
ANSWER
a) All record copies of survey plan prepared by a surveyor either in tracing cloth or film shall be
deposited with the surveyor general of the state in which they completion.

EXPLAIN RECORD COPIES OF SURVEY PLANS AND LIST THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS FOR
THEIR PREPARATION AND LODGEMENT. (Q4b,2019)

ANSWER

40
 a) Practising surveyors are to ensure submission/lodgement of record copies of survey
plans prepared by them in line with subsisting laws. No surveyor will be attended to at
the branch secretariat in a new quarter unless atleast 70% of the record copies of survey
plans prepared in the previous quarter had been lodged.
b) Record copies can be submitted in hard or soft copies as provided for in subsisting laws.
ANSWER
(a) Surveyor’s residency in a state must have his head office in that state.

WITH REFERENCE TO THE PROVISIONS OF CAP. S18 LFN 2004 WHAT ARE THE MANDATORY
REQUIREMENTS FOR A PERSON WORKING TO BE REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING RELEVANT
PARTS OF THE SURVEYORS REGISTER. (Q3a,2018) (q3c,2012)

i. SURVEYOR
ii. PUPIL SURVEYOR
iii. TECHNOLOGIST
iv. TECHNICIANS

ANSWER

POINTS: CAPS18, LAW OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004 also known as SURVEYORS
COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (SURCON) ENABLING ACT also known as CAP 425 OF THE LAWS
OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA.

DECREE NO 44, SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA DECRESS 1989 {1989 NO44][GAZETTE

NO.73,VOL 76] (it was repealed Decree no 32 of 1970)

An Act to establish the surveyors registration council of Nigeria for the registration of
surveyors and to provide extensively for the regulation of the practice of the profession.

i. Surveyor: With reference to Cap S18 LFN 2004, a person shall be entitled to be
registered as a surveyor if
a. He passes the qualifying examination for registration, recognized or
conducted by the council.
b. Not being a Nigerian, he holds a qualification granted outside Nigeria
which for the time being is accepted by the council and he is by law
entitled to practice for all purposes as a surveyor in the country in which
the qualification was granted.
Any registration in section (b) shall be granted for one year and shall be
renewable on an annual basis for another two years.

41
 c.If he holds a certificate recognized by the council and has not less than
two years post-qualification practical experience in the profession and has
passed an examination approved by the council.
d. Also satisfy he is of good character, has attained the age of 21 years,
and he has not been convicted in Nigeria or elsewhere of an offence
involving fraud or dishonesty.
ii. Pupil Surveyor: With reference to Cap S18 LFN 2004, the mandatory requirements
needed for a person to be registered as a pupil surveyor is as follows;
a. He holds a certificate recognized by the council and has not had two
years post-qualification practical experience in the profession
b. He has passed an examination approved by the council and has not
had two years post qualification practical experience in the profession.
(any entry made in the register under this section above shall show that
the registration is provisional, and no entry so made shall be converted to
full registration without the consent of the council in writing on that
behalf).
iii. Technologist: With reference to Cap S18 LFN 2004, the mandatory requirements
needed for a person to be registered as a survey technologist is as follows;
a. If he has passed an examination approved from time to time by the
council and has had two years practical experience as a survey
technologist in an office approved by the council.
iv. Technician: With reference to Cap S18 LFN 2004, the mandatory requirements
needed for a person to be registered as a survey technician is as follows;
a. If he has passed an examination approved from time to time by the
council and has had two years practical experience as a survey technician
in an office approved by the council.

STATE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WHICH CANDIDATES SEEKING TO BE REGISTERED

INTO THE VARIOUS CADRES OF SURVEYING MUST POSSESS. (Q2a,2010)
ANSWER

The minimum qualification for a person seeking to be registered as surveyor is that the person
should have a qualification recognized by the council and has had the two years post
qualification practical experience and has passed a qualified examination approved and
conducted by the council. In addition the person must have attained 21 years of age and of a
good character. And has not been convicted.

For pupil surveyor: the person can be registered as a pupil surveyor if he holds a qualification
recognized by the council but has not had a two years post practical experience. Or he must
42
have passed an examination recognized by the council but has not had a two years post
practical experience.

To be registered as survey technologist or technician, he must have passed an examination

approved from time to time conducted by the council and must have had two years post
practical experience in an approved survey office

WHAT PROCEDURE WOULD YOU ADVISE A REGISTERED TECHNOLOGIST IN YOUR SURVEY

OFFICE TO FOLLOW IN ORDER FOR HIM TO BECOME PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED?
(Q2B,2010)

ANSWER

As a registered technologist he has to apply to write qualifying examination approved and

conducted by survey council of Nigeria and have spent two years in an approved office.

DISCUSS POST-REGISTRATION “MENTORSHIP” FOR NEWLY INDUCTED SURVEYORS AS A PREREQUISITE

FOR THEIR FULL ENGAGEMENT AS PRINCIPALS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE UNDER THE FOLLOWING

(I) NEED OR OTHERWISE

(II) LEGALITY OR OTHERWISE WITH REFERENCE TO CAP S 18 LFN 2004. (Q2A,2018)

ANSWER:

No there is no need for mentorship of newly inducted surveyors, post registration. This is not necessary
due to the fact that the newly inducted surveyors were mentored and supervised by Surveyors during his
or her pupillage or pre-registration. The knowledge and practical experience gained during this period
should be sufficient for the newly inducted surveyor post registration.

In terms of the Law of the federation of Nigeria 2004 CAPS18, under the section ‘Registration’, a person
is termed a surveyor if he holds a certificate recognized by the council and has NOT less than two years
post-qualification practical experience in the profession and he has passed an examination approved by
the council. Therefore there is no need for further post registration mentorship outside the pupillage
period.

DISCUSS PRIVATE PRACTISE BY NON-PRINCIPAL SURVEYORS AND THE ATTENDANT PENALTIES

CONSISTENT WITH PROVISIONS OF SECTION 7 AND 22 OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE
CONTROL OF SURVEY PRACTISE IN NIGERIA. (Q2B,2018)

43
POINTS: Principal surveyors are surveyors that are registered under the SURCON CAP S18 Laws of the
federation of Nigeria Act and has a survey consultancy office or unit that has been approved by the
SURCON State committee on ethics.

NON-PRINCIPAL surveyors are surveyors registered under the SURCON CAP S18 Laws of the federation of
Nigeria Act and works in a paid employment and shall not undertake any other survey practice except
where the condition of service expressly permits the surveyor to do so.

ANSWER

Provisions of section 7 states that Non principal surveyors registered under the SURCON CAP S18
Laws of the federation of Nigeria Act in paid employment shall not undertake any other survey practice,
except where the condition of service expressly permits the surveyor to do so. Although consultancy units
in institutions of higher learning offering surveying and Geoinformatics after enlistment with SURCON
shall be allowed to practice.

If he contravenes the provisions of this section is guilty of an offence and liable if adjudged guilty by
disciplinary committee to the penalties stated in section 22 of the rules and regulations for the control of
survey practice in Nigeria; which are,

a. A payment of not less than N100,000 or

b. A payment of not less than N150,000 or
c. Suspension from practice for a period of not less than 6 months or
d. A combination of payment and suspensions as the disciplinary committee may deem fit or
e. Striking the name of the surveyor off the relevant part of the register.

EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA ACT CAP 425 OF THE
LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 1990 AS THEY RELATE TO:
i. COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL AND TENURE OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS
ii. FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL (Q3I,II 2012)
CAPS18, LAW OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA 2004 also known as SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF
NIGERIA (SURCON) ENABLING ACT also known as CAP 425 OF THE LAWS OF THE FEDERATION
OF NIGERIA.

DECREE NO 44, SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA DECRESS 1989 {1989 NO44][GAZETTE

NO.73,VOL 76] (it was repealed Decree no 32 of 1970)

ANSWER

44
i) Composition Office of Members: The council shall consist of a President who shall be
appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the following
other members, that is to say:
a) Five (5) persons to be appointed by the President, commander –in –chief of the Armed
Forces of who at least one shall be the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the
others from amongst other interest in the field of Surveying (including the Armed Forces)
which in the opinion of the President, Commander-in- chief of the Armed Forces ought to
be represented (Army, Air-Force, Navy)
b) The Surveyor-General of each of the states in the Federation.
c) Twelve (12) person elected by the Nigeria Institution of Surveyors (NIS) in the manner for
the time being provided in it constitution.
d) Four (4) persons appointed by the President, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces
from Universities or other institution offering courses leading to an approved
qualification in Surveying, no two of whom shall come from the same Universities or
Institution.

Tenure
a) The President shall hold office for a period of three (3) years and shall be eligible for re-
appointment.
b) Every other member shall hold office for three (3) years except ex-office members by
virtue of office (e.g. Surveyor-General of States & Federation).

ii) Functions:
(a) Determining who Surveyors are for the purpose of this Act.
(b) Determining what standard of knowledge and skill are to be attained by persons seeking to
be registered as members of the profession of Surveying and reviewing those standards
from time to time as circumstances may require.
(c) Securing in accordance with the provisions of this Act the establishment and maintenance of
a register of persons entitled to practice the profession and the publication, from time to
time of lists such persons.
(d) Regulating and controlling the practice of the profession in all its ramifications.
(e) Maintaining in accordance with this Act, of discipline within the profession.
45
 (f) Performing any other functions conferred upon the Council by this Act.

WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE MENTIONED IN THE ENABLING ACT?

(Q2a,2009)

ANSWER

There are two committees mention in the Act that is

i) Surveyors disciplinary committee

ii) Surveyors investigating panel.

The Surveyors disciplinary committee shall consist of the President of the council and ten others
members appointed by the council of whom not less than four (4) shall be members appointed
by NIS.

FUNCTIONS/DUTIES

i. Considering and determining any case referred to it by the SIP

ii. Any other case of which the SDC has knowledge under the provision of this act. The
registrar shall act as the secretary to the SDC and this committee has power to suspend any
person found guilty of unprofessional conduct.

Surveyor’s investigating panel shall consist of seven members appointed by the council.

DUTIES/FUNCTIONS

i. Conducting preliminary investigation into any case where it is alleged that a person registered
has misbehaved in his capacity as a surveyor or should for any other reason be the subject of
proceedings before the SDC

ii. Deciding whether the case should be referred to the SDC;

46
iii. Submitting report on any action taken by the investigating panel to the SDC.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE COMPOSITIONS AND FUNCTIONS OF
THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE AND THE SURVEYORS INVESTIGATING PANEL AS CONTAINED
IN THE SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA ACT. (Q3b,2009)

ANSWER

The essential differences between the Discipline Committee and Surveyors Investigating Panel
(SIP) in terms of compositions and functions are enumerated below:

Composition
The Disciplinary Committee consists of the President of the Council and ten (10) other members
of which four (4) shall be members holding office appointed by NIS while the Surveyors
Investigating Panel consists of seven (7) appointed by the council and the Registrar is the
secretary to both committee.

Functions
The Disciplinary Committee shall be charged with the duty of considering and determining any
case referred to it by the Surveyors Investigating Panel (SIP) while the (SIP) is basically charged
with three (3) functions:
(i) Conducting a preliminary investigation into any case where it is alleged that a person
registered has misbehaved in his capacity as a Surveyor or should for any other reason be the
subject of proceedings before the Disciplinary Committee.
(ii) Deciding whether the case should be referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
(iii) Submitting a report on any action taken by the SIP to the Disciplinary Committee.

REGISTRAR

The council shall appoint a fit and proper person as registrar who shall prepare and maintain a
register of surveyors and person that can become surveyors in future.

47
The register shall contain names, addresses, approved qualification and any other necessary
particulars. The register shall consist of four parts in respect of surveyors, pupil surveyors, survey
technologists and survey technicians.

DUTIES/FUNCTIONS OF REGISTRAR

i. To correct with the council’s directive entries in the register.

ii. Make alteration in the register when necessary

iii. Removed from the register the names of deceased persons

iv. To act as secretary to the council at all meetings

v. To publish an up-to-date register yearly.

WRITE SHORT NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING: (Q3a,b,c,2009)

A) THE FUNCTION OF SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

B) THE BENEFITS OF SURVEYORS IN THE BUILT INDUSTRY

C) WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU OFFER SURCON?

THE FUNCTION OF SURVEYORS COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

ANSWER

i) To determine who are surveyors for the purpose of this decree

ii) They determine the knowledge and skill to be attained by person seeking to become
registered surveyor and reviewing such standard from time to time

iii) Securing in accordance with the decree the register of person entitled to practice the
profession and publication of such list from time to time.

iv) Regulating and controlling the surveying profession in all ramifications.

v) Maintaining discipline in the profession among the professionals

48
THE BENEFITS OF SURVEYORS IN THE BUILT INDUSTRY

ANSWER

The surveyors benefit in the built industry is enormous as the built industry is dependent on
surveying profession.

Surveyors are meant to provide the necessary information needed in the built industry. The
accuracy of the built industry is dependent on the data or topographical plans made by the
surveyor. The built industry provides job opportunities for the surveyor.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER SURCON? (Q3c,2009)

ANSWER

1. SURCON should increase the function of SURCON state committee on ethics that is
charged with the responsibility of supervising the practice of the surveying profession in
each state to monitor the activity of quacks and quackery.

2. SURCON should create more awareness on the importance on the usefulness of beacons
to the general public.

3. They should register more people who intend to be registered as professional surveyors.
This can be enhanced by creating a college where young graduates would be made to
undergo a one year compulsory training that would make them qualify as surveyors.

4. Stiffer punitive measures should be enforced on surveyors found wanting or defaulting in

one area or the other of its rules and regulations.

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF A GOOD MANAGER IN ORDER TO CREATE CONDITIONS

CONDUCIVE FOR EFFECTIVE WORK? (q5a,2012)

ANSWER
The most useful method of classifying managerial functions is to group them around the
activities of planning, organization, staffing, directing and control.

Planning

49
Planning involve selecting the objectives and the policies, programmes and procedures for
achieving them. Planning is, of course, decision making, since it involves selecting among
alternatives.

Organising
Organizing involves the establishment of a structure of roles and activities required to achieve
the goals of the enterprise.
Staffing
Staffing involves manning the positions provided for by the Organization structure. It thus
necessitates defining manpower requirements for the job to be done.

Directing
Directing involves guiding and supervising subordinates. The successful direction of subordinates
results in knowledgeable, well-trained people who work efficiently toward the enterprise
objectives. To direct subordinates, a manager must motivate, communicate and lead. The
technique is by command or persuasion and delegation of authority.

Controlling
Control seeks to compel events to conform to plans. Thus it measures performance, corrects
negative deviations and assures the accomplishment of plans.

SSCE shall consist of the Surveyor General of the state (the chairman) and two other members,
one from the council and one from NIS.

QUESTION: (Q1d,2014)

ANSWER

The duties of surcon state committee on ethics and practice of surveying profession are as
follows

(i) Issuing of surcon beacon numbers to surveyor

(ii) Handling of matters on professional ethics

50
 (iii) Making quarterly returns to surcon headquarters of beacon numbers issued and
plans lodged by
(iv) Supervising the practice of the surveying profession in the state
(v) Collecting beacon fees for surcon and remitting the monies to surcon head office.
(vi) Performing other functions which council may direct from time to time.

A SURVEYOR WAS REPORTED BY A CLIENT OF A SAID OFFENCE TO LAGOS STATE SURVEYOR-

GENERAL. HOW WOULD THIS CASE BE TREATED? (Q2b,2009)

ANSWER:

The ethics committee shall be responsible to Surveyors council of Nigeria for the effective
supervision of surveying practice. Therefore, a situation whereby a surveyor was reported by the
client to the Surveyor General being the chairman of the ethics committee, prompt reports shall
be made to surveyor council through the office of the registrar of the surveyors said offence.

The Surveyors Council of Nigeria shall direct such matter to the surveyor investigating panel
which shall look into the matter or allegation against the surveyor and recommend what steps
to be taken within the ambit of its function.

The surveyor being investigated shall have the right to reply in writing to the entire allegation
against him and findings against him by Surveyor Investigation panel (SIP).

The SIP shall either discharge the Surveyor or refer his case to Surveyor Disciplinary Committee
(SDC).

QUESTION: (Q2,2013)

AN SWER

(a) Any person not duly registered under this decree in expectation of reward practice or holds
himself out to practice as such. Or without reasonable excuses takes or uses any name, title,
addition, or description implying that he is authorized by law to practice as an registered
survey.
51
(b) The stages of trail that can accused professional must pass through in order to ensure justice
and fairness are as follows
The ethics committee of the State where the professional was accused will write report to
SURCON, then SURCON will direct such report of misconduct to the surveyors investigation
panel (SIP), then the SIP will conduct a preliminary investigation any case of allegation
brought against the surveyor, then decide whether the case should be referred to the
disciplinary committee and submit a report on any action taken by investigating panel to the
disciplinary committee. The surveyor disciplinary committee is charge with the duty of
considering and determining any case referred to it by the panel.

DESCRIBE THE OFFENCES LISTED IN THE ENABLING ACT AND THE PENALTIES. (Q2c,2009)

ANSWER:

The offences listed in the Enabling Act are in two categories:

1. The offence committed by the registered Surveyor and

2. Non-Surveyor

a) For Non-Surveyors any person who is not duly registered under this decree who for the
reward he except hold himself as a person empower to practice.

b) Any person without any reasonable excuse uses a title or name claiming that he backed up
by law to practice the profession shall be guilt of an offence.

c) If any person who for the purpose of procuring any name or qualification of any matter
makes a false statement in a material particular or reckless makes a statement which is
false in a material particular shall be guilty of an offence.

d) If a registrar or any other person in the council willfully makes a falsification of the register
maintained by the decree.

Penalties:

52
Any person guilty under this decree shall be liable on conviction in a magistrate court to a fine
not exceeding N500.00 and where the offences continues he shall pay N50.00 daily

In a conviction in high court he shall pay an amount not exceeding N1, 000.00 or imprisonment
for term not exceeding two years or both. Where the offence continues he is to pay a fine not
exceeding N100.00 per a day.

DESCRIBE THE OTHER COMMITTEE IN SURCON AND THEIR FUNCTIONS (Q2d,2009)

ANSWER

The other committees in SURCON are:

1. Finance and general purpose committee

2. Survey laws and regulation committee

3. The education committee

4. The examination committee

5. Human and capital development committee

6. Surveyor disciplinary committee

7. Surveyor investigation panel

8. The registration committee.

Functions

1. The finance and general purpose committee are in-charge of the finances of the council
that is the approval of fund and such financial expenditure. The forum shall be five

2. Surveyor laws and regulations: They are in-charge of various laws and regulations
controlling the parties of the surveying. They published various survey specifications. The
members are eleven and quorums shall be four

53
3. Human and capital development committee: They are in-charge of manpower in the
secretariat. They recruit staff. The quorum is four.

A FIELD PARTY HAD RETURNED AND SUBMITTED THEIR PRODUCTS AND INITIAL DATA.
DESCRIBES WHAT YOU WOULD INVESTIGATE BEFORE SIGNING. (Q2,2009)

ANSWER

What to investigate are written as follow:

1. Recce diagrams

2. Field books – name of observer and booker

Date

Title of project

Neatness of booking

Sketches

Certificate

3. Computation sheets whether manual or with software. Misclosures in angles, latitude

and departure, Accuracy.

4. Final drawing, plans or charts; Title, location, scale, area, bearing and distance and their
colours, connection, north line, origin, certificate and date of plan production

YOUR PUPIL SURVEYOR HAS SUBMITTED TO YOU HIS FIELD BOOKS, COMPUTATIONS AND
PLAN IN RESPECT OF A PROPERTY SURVEY. WHAT CHECKS WILL YOU CARRY OUT BEFORE
SIGNING THE PLAN? (Q1B,2012)

ANSWER

Given the scenario, the procedure to follow or things to check are itemized in the order given
below:

54
 i. The Recce diagram (Sketch). The “recce” diagram will be checked to be sure it represents
the features on the ground. The north arrow should indicate direction of north in the
area, and a legend should describe meaning of the features on diagrams.
ii. The stability of the controls used for the orientation of the survey.
iii. The test on the instrument (i.e. Horizontal and Vertical Collimation error test & result).
iv. The correctness of the angular observation procedures and the correctness of the
angular reduction with misclosure (whether is within acceptable limit).
v. The correctness of the traverse computation with closing partial eastings and northings
and the accuracy of the traverse (whether is within acceptable limit) for a third order
traverse.
vi. The title of the plan (e.g. Name of client).
vii. The location, Area of the land in square metre or appropriate unit.
viii. The coordinates system used.
ix. The scale, plan number and verging
x. The details of access roads, bearing and distances in the nearest minute and place of
decimal. etc.

WRITE A CONSTRUCTIVELY BRIEF ACCOUNT OF YOUR OWN RECENTLY EXECUTED SURVEY

TASK. YOU SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING, TOPICS, WHICH ARE BY NO MEANS AN
EXHAUSTIVE LIST: (Q1,2010)

I. TASK SPECIFICATIONS

II. INITIAL PLANNING

III. TECHNICAL EXECUTION

IV. PROCESSING OF RESULTS

V. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

VI. RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE WORK

ANSWER

55
Job order/task specification: To carry out the survey of the landed property of Jocard
investment limited to determine: the perimeter survey, to produce a 4 copies of perimeter
survey, topographical plan showing detail survey and contour. At scale of 1:25,000. The contour
interval 10m.

Initial planning: Reconnaissance: office recce: This was done to enable me know how best to
execute the task. Old maps of the area were sought for to enable one locate control beacon. At
this stage the choice of the equipment was made with regards to job accuracy.

Field recce: the site was visited to locate the control beacon and to determine how best to carry
out the survey. The beacons were brought to the site. The locals and the chief of the community
where the job was located were visited for acquaintance.

Technical Execution: Before proceeding to site the instrument was tested to be sure they are in
good condition.

On getting to site the integrity of the control beacon were ascertained and the survey lines were
cut and pillars planted and number.

Observation: The angular and linear observations were made bearing in mind the number of
zero specified, properly booked and sketches were made.

Processing of result: This involves angle reduction, traverse and levels computation gotten from
traverse and spot levels observations. The misclosure in the angles latitude and departures were
distributed accordingly to obtain the final coordinates.

Accuracy was obtained, back computation done and the area calculated. The level was
computed and correction was made accordingly to determine the final spot heights.

Drafting: The drafting was done electronically using AutoCAD 2007.

Presentation of result: Four copies of the various drawing were presented to the client duly
signed and sealed by a registered surveyor.

Recommendation for future work

1. I recommend that the client should do proper community awareness before contacting
the surveyor to avoid hindrances.
56
 2. Surveyor should be given enough time to carry out the survey.

YOU HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO UNDERTAKE THE PERIMETER AND TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY
OF AN AREA OF LAND OF APPROXIMATELY 5,000 HECTARES IN A FAIRLY HILLY AND FORESTED
AREA. THE NEAREST CONTROL POINTS ARE 40KM FROM THE SITE. PREPARE A PROPOSAL FOR
YOUR CLIENT, WHICH MUST INCLUDE THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT.

THE PROJECT SHALL COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING SURVEY PROCEDURES:

1. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY
2. CONTROL EXTENSION
3. MONUMENTATION
4. PERIMETER
5. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY
6. OFFICE WORK
EACH OF THESE PROCEDURES SHALL BE DESCRIBED AND COST OF CARRYING THEM OUT
OUTLINED.

ANSWER

Reconnaissance Survey
Reconnaissance survey is the preliminary survey of the project area. It involves sighting the
extent and marking turning points along the perimeter. Reconnaissance also involves locating
available government control points. During reconnaissance, suitable and intervisible locations,
at which survey points can be established, will be determined and marked in the ground. The
reconnaissance survey shall be carried out by a team of one surveyor, three technical officers,
one assistant surveyor and six labour crew. They shall be supported by transportation and basic
equipment. The survey shall last for five days.

Direct cost for the reconnaissance survey:

1 senior surveyor N10,500.00 per day
1 Assistant surveyor N5,500.00 per day
3 Technical officers N16,500.00 per day
6 Labour crew (line clearing) N18,000.00 per day
Transportation N25,000.00 per day
Basic equipment N15500.00 per day
Total N80,000.00 per day
Total for five days N400,000.00

Control Extension and Densification Survey

Control extension shall be done in two phases:
1. Establishment of second-order controls. Four second-order controls points shall be
established at strategic locations within the border of the project area.
2. Establishment of third-order controls. Afterwards, using the second-order controls points,
third-order controls shall be established all over the project area.

57
Global Positioning System (GPS) shall be employed to carry out the control extension. The third-
order controls shall be established approximately 500m apart. As such about 200 such controls
will be needed within the project area.
Equipped with two double-frequency and three single-frequency GPS receivers, the survey
team shall spend two weeks on the field.

Direct cost for the control survey shall be as follows:

1 Senior surveyor N10,500.00 per day
2 Assistant surveyors N11,000.00 per day
4 Technical officers N22,000.00 per day
4 Labour crew N12,000.00 per day
Transportation N25,000.00 per day
Basic equipment N50,000.00 per day
Total N125,000.00 per day
Total for two weeks N1,750,000.00

Monumentation
The turning points marked on the ground during reconnaissance survey shall be beaconed
according to SURCON specifications. The beacons shall be allowed to settle for two days before
survey shall be carried out on them. From the reconnaissance survey, a total of 148 turning
points have been identified. It shall take about ten days to complete casting the beacons.

Direct cost for monumentation

Cost of 118 standard cadastral beacons @ N1,000 N118,000.00
1 Assistant Technical Officer N3, 500.00 per day
4 Labour crew N12, 000.00 per day
Transportation N25,000.00 per day
Basic tools N5,000.00 per day
Total N45,500.00 per day
Total for 10 days N455,000.00

Perimeter Survey (GPS Relative Positioning)

GPS Relative Positioning method shall be used to carry out the perimeter survey. This method is
faster and the 118 corners can be established in 6 days, instead of the traditional traversing
which can take weeks.

Cost of GPS relative positioning survey

1 Senior surveyor N10,500.00 per day
2 Assistant Surveyors N11,000.00 per day
4 Technical officers N22,000.00 per day
4 Labour crew N12,000.00 per day
Equipment N50,000.00 per day
Transportation N25,000.00 per day
Total N130,500.00 per day
Total for 6 days N810,000 .00

Topographic Survey

58
Topographic survey shall be carried out at 10m grid; that is, horizontal and vertical position of
points at 10m intervals throughout the project area. This shall be achieved using GPS kinematic
method.

Cost of Topographic survey

1 hectare (10m grid) N250,000.00
50 hectare (10m grid) N7,500,000.00
5000 hectare (10m grid) N75,000,000.00

Office Work
The project shall begin with office work and end with more office work. The initial office work
shall include acquisition of available government control points and topographic maps. With
existing maps we familiarize with the project area before going to the field. After field work, the
office work shall include data processing, plotting and technical writing.

Cost of Office work:

Data processing N50,500.00
Plotting N105,000.00
Technical report N50,500.00
Total N206,000.00
Total cost of project N78,621,000.00

Mobilization/demobilization, 5% of total cost = N3,931,050.00

Contingencies, 5% of total cost = N3,931,050.00
Grand total N864,831,100.00

YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS WON A LARGE SCALE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MAPPING CONTRACT

(50KM X 50KM). PREPARE AN OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE PROJECT. ALSO EXPLAIN THE
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT YOU WOULD MAKE FOR THE SMOOTH EXECUTION OF THE
PROJECT. (Q2,2010)

ANSWER

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE PURPOSE WHICH THE SURVEY COORDINATION ACT 1962
AND SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS SET TO ACHIEVE? (Q3a,2009)

POINTS: The survey coordination Act no 28 of 1962, 1968, 1973

Survey coordination Act no 28 of 1962, FOLLOWED by Chapter 194, AMENDED by Survey

coordination Act of 1968(no 42) and 1973.

Director of federal survey to be notified of any survey works to be carried out.

59
 Connection to government beacons within 4 kilometers of site of works.

An Act to provide for the furnishing to the Director of Federal Surveys of information
relating to survey work; to provide for the carrying out of certain additional operations, by
persons doing the work; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. (The survey
coordination act was therefore formulated as a government legal tool for regulating and
controlling the practice of surveying for the benefit of the state).

ANSWER

The purpose of the coordination act and the subsequent amendment are:

1. To avoid wastage of the scarce resources

2. To avoid duplication of survey works
3. To provide security for the country in that aerial photographs
and imageries are processed within the country
4. Data banks are created as information regarding any survey
work is kept with the Surveyor General.
5. Survey work within the limit of ten miles of national frame work
are tied to the framework thereby all survey work will be on the
same coordinate system
6. The one month notice is extended to three months in order to
have enough time for preparation.
7. No more limit to the extent of land coverage.
8. The amendment encourages the use of modern survey
instrument.

THE BIGGEST LEGAL INSTRUMENT OF THE SURVEYORS-GENERAL IS THE SURVEY

COORDINATION ACT.
NOTE:

Mapping is the ultimate aim of surveying. By its nature, surveying captures the earth surface
and all features thereon and graphically represents them on a map. By so doing, surveying and
mapping expose a geographical location so much that detailed information about the location
can be gleaned from the map without physically visiting the site. The survey coordination act
was therefore formulated as a government legal tool for regulating and controlling the
practice of surveying for the benefit of the state.

60
The survey coordination act is necessary for reasons which are enshrined in the objectives of the
act. Firstly, all survey operations in the country should be coordinated. Otherwise the situation
would be likened to a lawless society where everyone behaves as he deems fit. Without
coordination there would be confusion, disorganization and disregard for constituted
authorities.

Secondly, the act ensures that all survey operations carried out in the country are executed to
acceptable specifications. The surveyors-general give instructions that guide the surveys
according to standard procedures.

Thirdly, unnecessary duplication of efforts and waste of funds are avoided. The survey
coordination act ensures that the surveyors-general have knowledge of all survey project
being executed in their states. By this knowledge the surveyors-general can prevent duplication
of efforts and waste of funds.
Moreover, the act is necessary because it ensures that originals and copies of survey products
are deposited in the surveyors-general’s office. Thus, copies of survey products can be made
available to public users.

In order to achieve the above objectives, the survey coordination act empowers the surveyor-
general to legally regulate and control all survey projects carried out in the state. Specifically,
the act requires that no survey work shall be carried out in the state unless the surveyor-general
has given his consent in writing. The person responsible for carrying out the survey is required
to give the surveyor-general written notice not less than three months before the work
commences. The surveyor-general, on receiving the notice, shall give a counter notice to the
person. In the counter notice, the surveyor-general shall give instructions to the effect of
carrying out the survey according to specifications. The surveyor-general shall demand for
copies of maps, plans, photographs, field observation notes and computations made for the
purpose of carrying out the survey work. Moreover, all survey
monuments erected in the course of the survey work shall become the
property of the state and the surveyor-general may use them for the
Mapping
purpose of his office as he thinks fit.
Government legal tool-SCA
Thus, it can be argued that the survey coordination act is the biggest
legal instrument of the surveyor-general. By the act, the surveyor- 3 main objectives of SCA
general has legal power to consent to or reject an application to carry Explanations -Notice& Counter
out a survey in any part of the state. As mentioned above, surveying Notice
and mapping by their nature make bare on paper the land use land
cover of a geographical location. Physically inaccessible areas can be
exposed by mapping through remote sensing. Without the act, natural
and cultural resources in a location would be exposed to illegal exploitation.

Moreover, the act empowers the surveyor-general to enforce adherence to specifications during
the course of any survey work. At the beginning of the project the surveyor-general, through a
counter notice, outlines specifications that should be followed, lists instructions that should be
carried out, and demands for field books, computation sheets and survey monuments that

61
indicate that the work was done accordingly. Thus, by the legal instrument of the act, the
surveyor-general enforces survey standards.

Furthermore, the act gives power to the surveyor-general to demand for and collect original and
copies of the survey products, including details of all monuments erected during the survey. As
such, the surveyor-general has documentary evidence of all surveys carried out within the state,
which he may use to the benefit of his office and make available to other users.

In conclusion, the survey coordination act is an essential legal tool for regulating and controlling
survey works within a state. The act empowers the surveyor-general, making him the supervisor
and coordinator of all surveys in his jurisdiction, and allowing him to have copies of all survey
documents used and produced in the course of the survey. The act is therefore the biggest legal
instrument of the surveyor-general as he uses it for the purposes of his office and the benefit of
the state.

DEFINE “SURVEY WORK” IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE SURVEY

COORDINATION ACT SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENT ACTS. (Q4,2011)

ANSWER
Survey work within the context of the survey Coordination Act 1962 can be defined as “the
carrying out or ascertaining, with a view to determining the shape and size of any part of
the surface of any land (including any natural feature of the land), of all or any of the
following:-
(i) Traverse by angular and linear measurements observed.
(ii) Leveling measurement by radar, electronic or EDM
(iii) Aerial photography
(iv) Topographical or hydrographic surveys, triangulation, and trilateration.

But does not include any activity mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs which is
undertaken.
i. By or instructions of the Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air force or survey
department of the Federation or state
ii. In any part of Nigeria specified for the purpose of any regulations made by the Minister,
or
iii. Solely for the purpose of determining boundaries of any property.

62
WHAT ARE THE POWERS PROVIDED FOR IN THE SURVEY ACT WHEN A SURVEYOR IS
APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT ANY PUBLIC SURVEY? (Q1a,2010)

ANSWER

The powers provided for in the survey coordination act when a surveyor is appointed to carry
out any public survey are as follows:

The surveyor appointed to carry out the public survey will within three months give a notice of
his intention to carry out the said survey to the surveyor general of the state in which the job is
situate. The notice shall state the following:

1. The name and address of the surveyor and if the survey work is done in connection with
any other person, the name and address of the said person is also included.

2. The particulars, purpose and the area the survey work relate

3. The date of starting and proposed completion should be noted.

The Surveyor General shall upon his receiving the notice give a counter notice before the
expiration of the one month from the day the first notice was given to the person who is to carry
out the survey work requesting him to do the following

1. To erect monuments in connection with the survey work with such description and at
what point and limits.

2. Submit copies of negative of photographs used for the survey work.

3. Submit original copies of field book, computation in respect of the survey work

4. Particulars of permanent survey mark erected during the survey work

5. Submit two copies of map or plan produced for the job showing the date it was made
and all the connections.

ISSUES ON NOTICE AND COUNTER-NOTICE

The act stipulates that not such survey work can be carried out unless the person responsible for
doing the work has given prior notice in writing to the director of federal surveys of the work,

63
i. By stating its particulars e.g. his name and address

ii. If on behalf of someone else, the name and address of such other person.

The SGF (then the director of federal surveys) is expected to give a counter-notice on receipt of
such a notice. In it, the SGF may require the person giving the notice to do all or any of the
following:

i. Erect survey beacons of specific descriptions at specified locations;

ii. Process all aerial films in connection with the work in Nigeria;

iii. On the completion of the work, to submit;

a. Two copies of every map or plan so produced showing the date they were made and
all connection to survey marks;

b. Original or copy of negatives of all aerial photographs;

c. Original or copy of all field notes and computations;

d. Particulars of all survey marks erected to the SGF

e. Connect the work to any government survey beacon lying within 16km of the areas.

The act does not specifically stipulate who is eligible to give or notice and received a counter-
notice. In practise, however, this may be an individual or an incorporated company

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACT

a. To ensure proper coordination of all survey operations in the country

b. To ensure that survey and mapping executed in the country are done to acceptable
specifications so that the results can be of maximum use to the various and varied users;

c. To ensure that unnecessary duplication of effort in aerial photography, surveying and

mapping is avoided, and thereby avoiding unnecessary waste of funds and time;

d. To ensure that the original and copies of materials produced are, on completion of the
projects, forwarded to and kept in the safe custody of the SGF so that they can be readily made
available, from time to time to the depositors and others users, at little or no extra costs; and
64
e. By the issuance of notices and counter-notice, the SGF is able to inform the person or
company wishing to carry out the survey work whether the required survey materials are
available from previous surveys and could be obtained from him. SGF may request such person
or company to do some extra work which would eventually enhance the value of the survey
materials being acquired and facilitate future surveys within the survey area.

A SURVEY COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARDED A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE 1:500 MAPS OF A

NUMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS OF A STATE BY AN ARCHITECTURAL
FIRM. DISCUSS THE ACTION THAT THE COMPANY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE BEFORE IT
COMMENCES TO CARRY OUT ANY FIELD WORK IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THE SURVEY COORDINATION ACT. (Q4b,2011)

ANSWER

Given the scenario, the survey company will do the following before the commencement and
completion of the job.
(i) Give notice to the Director of Federal Surveys (now the Survey General of the
Federation (OSGOF) not less than three (3) months to the preceding the day on
which the work commences, or such shorter period as the Director may allow.
The notice shall include the following:
(i) the name and address of the person giving the notice and, if he is carrying out
the survey work in question in pursuance of a contract or arrangement with any
other person, the name and address of that other person;
(ii) Particulars of the work and the purpose of the work, and of the area to which
the work recites
(iv) The dates on which it is proposed to begin and end the work and shall contain a
sketch map illustrating the work.
(v) If the contract is awarded by the State Survey Department concerned the survey
company in compliance to the survey coordination Act will still notify and do
proper document reason being that the SG of that state concern-will still pass on
all information reciting to survey to the Director of Federal Survey (now the
Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF).

65
THE NIGERIA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTENDS TO FURTHER AMEND THE SURVEY
COORDINATION ACT NO 28 OF 1962 ( AND ITS SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENT) TO REFLECT THE
CURRENT GLOBAL TRENDS IN THE PRACTICE OF SURVEYING AND GEOINFORMATICS, WRITE A
MEMORANDUM TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY JUSTIFYING THE NEED FOR THE REVIEW AND
STATING AREAS THAT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED IN THE ACT.(Q2,2018)

ANSWER

MEMORANDUM

TO: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FROM:

DATE: 30-JUNE 2020

SUBJECT: IMPORTANCE OF REVIEWING THE AMENDMENT OF THE SURVEY COORDINATION ACT

NO 28 OF 1962(AND ITS SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS).

I am writing to applaud the Nigeria National Assembly for taking the decision to further amend
the Survey Coordination Act No 28 of 1962 (and its subsequent amendments). With the afore
said, I would add that reviewing the Act is very important due to the growing changes globally
in the practice of surveying and Geoinformatics.

I would state areas in the Act that need to be reviewed and amended. This would be explained
in the following paragraphs.

The act states that every survey works done in the country, two copies of every map and plan
produced should be given to the Surveyor-general. Also field observations, computations, note
should be issued to the surveyor-general. These sections should please be reviewed. It was not
clearly explained the purpose of which the surveyor-general would do with this data. Would the
data be sold by the surveyor-general’s office? Or be made free of charge? Either option would
not encourage entrepreneurs in the profession to create privately owned firms, if their data
which they used, time, money, labors is compulsorily taken from them without any monetary
gain or royalties.

In addition, with respect to the section stated above, technology has advanced to the stage
that almost nothing is done via paper format. Maps are accessed and stored in a large scale
via software application. Seeking for every map or plan to be produced and submitted in paper
format is almost or nearly outdated. This can be reviewed further.

Also the section that describes survey works and the type of surveys with the equipment used
needs to be reviewed. Most of the equipment listed in this section are no longer been used. GPS
technology should be included in this section.

66
Finally, I would add that we are in a new era, where Email services are the other of business.
Why should postal services still be the only source of transfer of information? This should be
reviewed in the Act in order to reflect the current global trends in the practice of Surveying and
Geoinfomatics.

Thanks.

NAME.

THE MANAGER OF A SURVEY COMPANY HAS GIVEN THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL OF THE

FEDERATION (SGF) NOTICE THAT HIS COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARDED A MAPPING CONTRACT
IN ONE OF THE STATES OF THE FEDERATION BY AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM. ON THE RECEIPT
OF THIS NOTICE THE SGF IN TURN GIVES A COUNTER-NOTICE. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO NOTICES? (Q3b,2009)

ANSWER

The essential differences between the two notices are as follows:

1. The notice of the manager states the following:

i) The name and address of the surveyor

ii) The purpose of the survey work and area it relates

iii) The date of starting and the date of completion

2. The counter notice will state the following:

i) To submit two copies of maps or plans of the survey work showing its connection and
date of production

ii) Submit original copies of filed data, computation and other data relating to the survey
work

iii) Submit negatives of aerial photographs to the Surveyor General.

67
IN CONSIDERATION OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED ON
ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTER-NOTICE BY THE SGF WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE PROVIDED IN THE
SURVEY COORDINATION ACT TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE SURVEY COMPANY?

ANSWER

The safeguard provided in the survey coordination Act to protect the interests of the survey
company is that any additional expenses incurred by the companies shall be refunded.

MINING SURVEY
POINTS
The usual method is by a closed traverse, it should be connected to one or more triangulation or
control traverse points which exist within 5km of site of survey, accuracy of 1/3000 should be
achieved by means of observed and computed checks. Plan are usually drawn in scale 1/1000,
1/2000 and 1/5000
RECORD TO BE SUBMITTED FOR MINING SURVEY
1. Plan,
2. Traverse book,
3. Azimuth computation and grid convergence
4. Traverse sheet
5. corner shift and pegs shift
6. Area computation
PT^3A^2C^3S
7. Connection: - traverse, triangulation or resection
8. Computation of final bearings and distances in order round the lease.
9. Tracings of adjoining area (from priority sheet) and
10. Survey report.
DEMARCATION OF MINING RIGHT
Only two survey beacons – the upper and lower beacons (UB and LB) are required for the
demarcation of mining right. They are emplaced at the upper and lower ends of the stream,
close to applicant temporary beacon on ground which is not liable to flood and as near the
stream as possible.

68
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING AS USED IN MARITIME BOUNDARY
ADMINISTRATION. (Q2,2012)
i. TERRITORIAL WATERS
ii. CONTIGUOUS ZONE
iii. EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE
iv. CONTINENTAL SHELF
OR
DISTINGUISH THE FOUR (4) BASIC CATEGORIES OF “SOVEREIGNTY” THAT A COASTAL
COUNTRY MAY CLAIM IN RESPECT OF THE SEA ADJACENT TO OUR SURROUNDING IN IT AS
RECOGNISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS).
(Q1b,2011),(Q2,2014)

ANSWER

69
The four (4) basic categories of sovereignty a coastal country may claim in respect of the sea
adjacent to or surrounding it is as recognized by (UNCLOS) are:
i) Territorial Waters
ii) Contiguous Zone
iii) Exclusive Economic Zone
iv) Continental Shelf

(a) The Territorial Waters: This extends from the baseline to a maximum of 12 nautical
miles into the sea. The claimant provide right of innocent passage to ships in transit
within it.

(b) The Contiguous Zone: This extends from the baseline to a maximum of 24 nautical miles
into the sea. The coastal country exercises sovereign jurisdiction over this stretch of
water, immigration, environmental and police control over it. It may also exploit living
and mineral resources to the exclusion to any other country.

(c) The Exclusive Economic Zone: This extends to a maximum of 200 nautical miles into the
sea from the baseline. The rights of the coastal country to this zone are limited to
economic rights only.

70
(d) The Continental Shelf: The continental shelf is made or less as extension of the (EEZ) and
extends as far as 350 nautical miles into the sea.

DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS USED ON THE MINESFIELD. (Q5A,2011) (Q4,2013)

ANSWER

(i) Mining Lease: an area of land from which the lease has right to extract specified
minerals. A mining lease is granted, in the first instance, for a maximum of 21 years,
but may be renewed under certain circumstances
(ii) Mining Right: an area along a stream or river, of total width including the width of
the stream, of not more than 30 meters, over which the holder has the right to
extract specified minerals. A mining right is granted in the first instance for one year
only but can be renewed for further periods. It total length along the stream must
not exceed 1.6km.
(iii) Exclusive prospecting license (EPL): an area of land over which the license holder
has the exclusive right to prospect for specified minerals. Its maximum size is 20sq
km.
(iv) Location Beacon and Location Mark: the location beacon is the starting beacon of
the lease and the location mark is the initial reference point permanently marked
by the surveyor with a concrete beacon during the survey.
(v) Mines Reclamation Area: a worked-out area of land which has been reclaimed and
permanently closed to mining.
(vi) Prospective Right:- This is an authority granted to the holder to prospect for
specified minerals in a specified state.
(vii) Corner Beacon:- This is other corners other than the location mark. of a mining area
number consecutively thus CB1, CB2, and CB3 etc.

DESCRIBE THE DEMARCATION AND SURVEY OF MINING RIGHTS IN MINESFIELD SURVEYS.

(Q5B,2011)
ANSWER

71
The demarcation and survey of a Minesfield surveys is usually accomplished by a closed traverse
either by
(i) To begin from a set of known control points and close on the same set of control
points or
(ii) To begin from a set of control points and close on another different set of control
points.
In either case, the law requires that the accuracy of the positions of the control
points be checked by angular and linear measurements which should agree with the
computed values to within 30” in angle and 0.3m in length. All surveys of Minesfield
should be converted one or more triangulation or control traverse points if such
points exist within 5km of the site of the survey. If no triangulation point a control
traverse exists within 5km, a connection should be made to a more distance point if it
is reasonably possible to do so.
The connection may be any sound method provided. It is proved accurate to 1:3,000
by means of observed and computed checks.

QUESTION: (Q5,2014) NPNNACRCRCSSDA

ANSWER
N^3PA^2C^3R^2S^2D
(a) The components that must be found on the plan of mining
lease are
(1) Name of applicant
(2) Plot number
(3) No of lease
(4) North arrow of point
(5) Any adjoin lease
(6) Coordinate of location mark
(7) Roads & rail line
(8) Connection of control
(9) Scale
(10)Surveyors name and signature
(11)Date

72
 (12)All corners and line beacons together with bearing and distance to the nearest mm of
5m

Conventional colours and signs

i. Final boundary- red

ii. Traverse line which is not a boundary – blue

iii. Corners beacons – double red circles

iv. Line beacons – single red circle

v. Traverse pegs – single blue circle

vi. Bearings and distances along boundaries – in red

vii. Heading, area, scale, details etc. – in black

(b) The Records are

(i) surveyor name
(ii) title
(iii) location
(iv) name of instrument use
(v) observation/booking
(vi) date of observation
(vii) diagrams /sketches
(viii) certificate of attesting by the surveyor

QUESTION: (Q6,2014)

ANSWER

(a) Professional scales of fees: is a document which is used as a guide in estimating the cost of
professional fees for services rendered to clients.
(b) The features are as follows
(1) It remunerates the surveyor for quantities used in the physical demarcation of land
73
 (2) It is dynamic in nature ie as inflation rate change scale of fees change.
(3) It contains a table of man-month rate for survey
personals
NTSCCCCTMOT
(4) It includes stage payment for surveyors
NT^3SC^4MO
(5) It makes provision for payment of reimbursable claim on
transportation, accommodation, printing office
equipment.
(6) It introduces project management to surveying and mapping

WHAT FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED IN THE COSTING OF SURVEY PROJECTS? (Q6,2011)

ANSWER
The factors considered in the costing of survey projects are:
(i) Nature of the work: e.g. control Extension, Mapping Aerial Photogrammetry, Aerial
photography, Topography.
(ii) Type of Topography: e.g. Swamps, Desert, light or Heavy forest.
(iii) Size and Extend of Coverage.
(iv) Cost of minerals.
(v) Cost of equipment (hire).
(vi) Cost of labour.
(vii) Cost of deliverables.
(viii) Transportation and accommodation.
(ix) Mobilization and demobilization.
(x) Overheads and contingencies.
(xi) Tax / VAT.

IF YOU ARE CONTRACTED TO CARRY OUT A PERIMETER SURVEY OF A PIECE OF LAND 85 HA IN

SIZE, IN A HIGH MANGROVE FOREST REGION OF NIGER DELTA, COMPUTE YOUR CHARGE
USING DIRECT COST METHOD OF 2008 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED SCALE OF FEES .
(HINTS. COST FOR 50 HA IS N1,056,300 AND FOR AREAS IN EXCESS OF 50 HA CHARGE
ADDITIONAL FEE OF N7000/HA. REMEMBER FOR DECIDUOUS REGIONS AND SWAMP,
MULTIPLY COST BY A FACTOR OF 1.5 AND 2.0 RESPECTIVELY). (Q7B,2018)

ANSWER;

74
Perimeter survey of 85 hectares.

Cost of 50 hectares according to 2008 federal govt approved scale of fees is

= 1,056,300 x 50 = N52,815,000

The remainder is 85-50 = 35 hectares

Additional fee os N7000/hectare = 7000 x 35 = N245,000

Total cost = N52,815,000 + N245,000 = N53,060,000

Since the area is high mangrove forest, it is swamp region too. Therefore the total cost fee
taking swamp factor into consideration is

= 2.0 x N53,060,000 = N 106,120,000

WRITE BRIEF NOTES ON THE ‘REIMBURSABLES’ AND ‘DIRECT COST’ COMPONENT OF THE
SURVEYOR’S FEES. (Q6,2019)

ANSWER

Reimbursables for a surveyor fee is directed to the extra payments required for project
components like ‘transport’, accommodation, printing, computer rentals, office equipment and
other incidental expenses incurred during the cause of the project. The payment of this
reimbursable claim would be made to the surveyor in addition to normal fees but only after
receipts backing up such claims have been accepted by the client. Also Note that this claim is
subject to a maximum of 5 % of the total fees of the consultant. Where the 5% of the total fee
of the consultant is found to be inadequate, the consultant surveyor is free to make a case for
additional re-imbursement supported with relevant receipts.

Direct costs means quantities with respect to individual survey projects such as perimeter
survey, layout survey, topographical survey etc. the direct costs is derived using components of
various survey works and the current costs of their execution. Components of direct costs
includes; Personnel, Equipment, Transportation, Accomodation,Beacons/Monuments. PETAB

B) WRITE DOWN A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) MAJOR PROJECT COMPONENTS FOR MAPPING
WITH SATELLITE IMAGERIES THAT WILL HELP TO DO THE COSTING USING BILL OF
QUANTITIES.

ANSWER

1. Procurement of satellite imageries (depending on mapping purpose and TOR).

2. Establishment of control points.
3. Image pre-processing (Geometric and Radiometric corrections).
4. Precision correction and image Geo-rectification.
75
 5. Scanning/digitization and conversion of all maps (where available).
6. Image interpretation and map layer update.
7. Generation of digital elevation model (DEM).
8. Ground truthing and field completion.
9. Cartographic design of map sheet.
10. Production of copies on CD-ROM and hardcopies of the map products.
11. Report writing and submission of map products.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA HAS PROPOSED A RAIL LINK BETWEEN MINNA AND
ABUJA. IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE THE SURVEY PROJECT COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR THIS
WORK. (Q6B,2011)
ANSWER

YOUR FIRM HAS BEEN CONTRACTED ABOUT CARRYING OUT A ROUTE, LOCATION AND RIGHT-
OF-WAY SURVEY OF THE EXTENSION OF THE NIGERIA RAILWAY LINE FROM AJAOKUTA IN
KOGI STATE TO DELTA STEEL COMPANY IN ALADJA IN DELTA STATE. PREPARE A DETAILED
PROPOSAL FOR THE CLIENT, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE FINANCIAL ASPECTS.

ANSWER
INTRODUCTION
The survey shall provide geospatial data needed for design, setting-out and construction of the
railway line. The project shall be sub-divided into the following procedures.
1. Reconnaissance survey
2. Connection survey
3. Establishment of control points
4. Marking of centerline and cross-sections
5. Detail survey and corridor mapping
6. Right-of-way survey
7. Processing and plotting

NOTE: Here, we shall only describe the works that shall be done. The financial aspect follows the
direct cost for scale of fees described @ PROPOSAL FOR PERIMETER AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
SURVEYS. The reader should attempt to do the calculation.

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY
Reconnaissance survey shall consist of two parts. Firstly, planning the project shall be carried
out during which existing topographic maps covering the project length would be studied.
Probable centerline of the proposed railway line would be identified. Government control points
would also be identified. Other features that shall be identified in along the project corridor
include towns, villages, rivers, hills, bridges, farmlands and swamps.

Secondly, field reconnaissance shall be carried out during which the survey control points shall
be located on the ground. Also, suitable and inter-visible locations for more control points shall

76
 be identified and marked on the ground. Finally, the proposed centerline shall be identified and
adjusted and obstructions along the centerline shall be noted.

CONNECTION SURVEY
Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment shall be deployed to carry out connection survey in
order to connect the project to national framework of government control points. This shall
serve as geodetic backbone for the entire project.

Further control points shall be extended to the project area. The control points shall be cast in
accordance with the specifications given by Surveyors Council of Nigeria. The cast beacons shall
be allowed to settle for three days before survey can be carried out on them.

MARKING OF CENTERLINE AND CROSS-SECTIONS

The final adjusted centerline shall be pegged at 25m interval beginning from chainage 0+000 at
the beginning of the project. At each chainage along the centerline, cross-sections shall be taken
at 10m intervals up to 50m on both the left-hand-side and right-hand-side of the centerline.

CORRIDOR MAPPING AND DETAIL SURVEY

The railway corridor shall be mapped 50m on either side of the centerline. Every feature along
the corridor shall be identified and surveyed, such as road crossings, built-up areas, rivers,
bridges, farmlands, pipelines, plantations and swampy areas.

During the corridor mapping, the right-of-way survey shall be carried out, during which features
that fall within the right-of-way shall be identified and surveyed.

DATA PROCESSING AND PRESENTATION

During data processing, the following map products shall be generated:
· Digital terrain model (DTM)
· Contour map
· Longitudinal profile
· Cross-sections
· Plan showing the centerline and all features along the corridor.

ACCURACY
The project shall be of third-order accuracy; that is, not less than 1:3000.

CONCLUSION
The survey shall be concluded within a period of one month.

WRITE SHORT NOTE ON THE FOLLOWING, AS THEY RELATE TO SURVEY PRACTICE. (Q5B,2012)
(I) RECORD KEEPING
(II) STORE KEEPING
(i) TRANSPORTATION

77
 (ii) ACCOUNTING/FINANCE
(iii) TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING
ANSWER

Record keeping: All documents concerned with a survey should be kept for future reference and
housed in a systematic manner that will make their future accessibility simple and speedy. The
problem of finding space to house the vast qualities of data through the filling system is being
solved by means of the computer.

Store Keeping: A complete record of stores issued to each surveyor should be kept together with
their signatures indicating responsibility. From time to time a computer check of equipment and
stores should be made. At period of inactivity in the field, e.g. due to bad weather, opportunity
should be taken to repair and generally overhaul equipment. When transporting stores, all items
should be housed in strong creates.

Transportation: One of the most important aspects of a surveyor’s activity is transportation. A

surveyor should be able to drive a car. On arrival in an unfamiliar territory, the surveyor should
consult local people concerning the particular hazards of motoring in the area and any advice
given should be conscientiously followed. The state of batteries, petrol and oil consumption
should be watched constantly. Regular maintenance of the vehicle is important.

Labour: It is one of the normal duties of the surveyor to recruit his labour force as required for
the job, and to train them according to his requirements. Rates of pay should accord with local
rates. Additional payment will normally be required if the work is away from the labourer’s
home. The successful surveyor must maintain good labour relations which can be obtained only
as the result of fair, firm treatment tampered with understanding.

Accounting/Finance: The surveyor will be responsible for the financial organization of his work.
Normally an impress account is maintained for the day – to-day running of the office.
Accounting is usually under the following heads:
(i) Traveling
(ii) Local running
(iii) Labour
78
(iv) Salaries to permanent staff
(v) Transport
(vi) Store and equipment
(vii) Miscellaneous
All payments must be accompanied by a receipt. Accounts must be regularly kept up to date.

Report Writing
From time to time during the survey, and at its completion, the surveyor is normally required to
submit progress reports. The final report should contain all necessary and relevant information.
The following are the main headlines and information required in a report:
 Location of survey
 Date of execution
 Personnel involved
 Finance
 Technical: including Datum used; unit or measurement, equipment; result; etc
 Dates lost due to bad weather

AS A GIS EXPERT WORKING IN A MAPPING FIRM WHOSE PRODUCTION PROCESS IS STILL ANALOGUE
STATE, WRITE A BRIEF TO YOUR MANAGING DIRECTOR STATING CONVINCING REASONS WHY THE
COMPANY SHOULD ADOPT THE MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCTION MAPS UNDER THE
FOLLOWING HEADINGS:

a. THE CONCEPT b. THE ADVANTAGES c. EQUIPMENT d. PERSONNEL e. COST IMPLICATION.

(Q4,2018)

ANSWER:

TO: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

THE CONCEPT

I am writing this brief to inform you on the advantages of adopting modern technology in
producing the maps made by the company. In modern technology, the use of analogue methods in
observing and producing maps is outdated. Digitally produced maps are the order of the day. Digital
mapping is a procedure which utilizes geo-referenced digital imageries and computer systems to produce
digital maps and other digital map products.

THE ADVANTAGES

79
 The advantages of producing maps via digital methods are numerous. For instance, digital
methods make it easier and faster in production of the maps. We get to produce the maps within the
time frame and efficiently meet the demand of the client. Also, since the maps are digitally produced, we
have almost no worries about loss of data due to mishandling of paper maps etc.

Also digital mapping makes quick revision and updating of existing maps possible. The maps we
have in the company are analogue and obsolete. Revising them would take hours of man power, more
expense and a lot of ground truthing. Digitally updating and revising the map makes it time efficient and
cost effective. This is done with computers with little ground truthing.

In addition, significant amount of field work is eliminated and the rigour associated with field
surveying is reduced. Moreover digital mapping eliminates the rigour of manually handling large amount
of data with complex mathematical computations. Computer software easily handles them.

Fourthly, digital mapping makes geospatial data understandable to wide range of users.
Computerized labeling and visualization makes digital maps easily understood by public non-professional
users.

Finally, digital maps can easily be modified on the computer to satisfy specific user needs. Digital
maps generated from raster digitizing capture enormous datasets from which wide range of professional
users can use. The computer can be used to manipulate these datasets to produce thematic maps as
demanded by various users.

EQUIPMENT

The main equipment needed for digital mapping in the company is a Computer. Computers are used
to process, store, analyze and visually display data inputted into it. In modern technology of mapping,
software applications are used in the computers to digitally produce the maps or map products. Any
form of result gotten from the computer is termed to be digital.

Other equipment needed to digitally produce maps are, printers, cameras, scanners. Also GPS
receivers are needed to observe data easily from the field, thereby reducing rigorous field labor and
saves time from solving complex mathematical calculations to obtain coordinates of points.

Software used by the computer system in processing digital maps are AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Global
Mapper, Surfer, Idrisi, Ilwis and so much more.

PERSONNEL

With current curriculum of surveying and geo-informatics at the University level, graduates in
surveying and geo-informatics have adequate background knowledge about modern technology in
producing maps. With little or no initial training from the company, they can be hired and digital maps
are produced immediately. All the analogue maps would be converted to digital maps by this skilled
persons and only easier and faster updating of the maps would be done. For our company, we need three
to five surveying and geo-informatics graduates to work in this regard.

COST IMPLICATION

80
 The cost of reproducing the maps digitally would be a lot. Due to the fact that new equipment
would be bought, software to be used in processing the maps would be bought and licensed. Also the
cost of hiring new staffs to the company would be added. But please bear in mind that this would be
initial costs, as the company progresses, the costs reduces. The only recurring costs would the salaries of
the staff, renewing software licenses and miscellaneous costs.

DESCRIBE THE RELEVANCE OF DIGITAL MAPS FOR PRE-CENSUS AND POST CENSUS ACTIVITIES.
(Q7A,2019)

ANSWER

Digital maps are maps that are produced via a computer. They can be visualized, edited and
manipulated on computerized devices such as cell-phones, laptops and others. Census activity
involves taking a type of survey of people in a region or country, which is, counting the number
of people and collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing as well as disseminating information
about their demographic, social and economic characteristics.

The relevance of Digital Maps for pre-census activities can be described as ensuring consistency
and facilitating census operations such as enumeration area demarcations. The country is
divided into the smallest geographical unit termed as Enumeration area for census data
collection, and this size would be able to be enumerated by one census field worker in the
allocated period.

For post census activities, this digital maps makes it easier to present, analyze and disseminate
census results.

LIST THE SALIENT FEATURES OF AN ENUMERATION MAP (Q7B,2019)

WRITES SHORT NOTES ON THE FOLLOWING. (Q5,2019)

i) ICT ii) IOT iii) AI iv) MACHINE LEARNING v)BIG DATA

POINTS; Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that begins with the creation of an intelligent
3D model and enables document management, coordination and simulation during the entire
lifecycle of a project (plan, design, build, operation and maintenance).

https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim/benefits-of-bim

ANSWER

i) ICT: ICT is the acronym for Information and Communications Technology is an integration of
telecommunications and computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middle ware,
storage, and audiovisual systems, that enable users to access, store, transmit and
manipulate information. The Benefits of ICT to survey works is enormous, but the important
ones would be explained below;
a. Accuracy: Modern instruments uses the principle of ICT to give results whose accuracy is
high compared to instruments used in the past. Also for complex computations in survey,

81
 an ICT method is employed i.e computers and relevant software, in handling this
calculations that results in accurate observations.
b. Scope/Portfolio: With the growth of ICT, more methods of using modern technology in
observing measurements from sea, air space is now easier.
c. Speed: with advanced technology, accurate results are presented in a few hours
d. Infrastructure possibilities: survey works are very important for infrastructural
development. With technologies like GPS and DGPS have brought transparency in the
infrastructure domain with its satellite mapping capabilities.
ii) IOT: IOT is the term given to Internet Of things. This is a system of interrelated computing
devices, mechanical an digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with
unique identifiers and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human to
human computer interaction. In short it provides the internet connectivity between various
devices by utilizing various network technologies such as bluetooth, wifi, GSM etc.
iii) AI: Artificial Intelligence; Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence
in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.
iv) MACHINE LEARNING: Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence that
provides systems the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without
being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on the development of computer
programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves. The process of learning
begins with observations or data, such as examples, direct experience, or instruction, in order
to look for patterns in data and make better decisions in the future based on the examples
that we provide. The primary aim is to allow the computers learn automatically without
human intervention or assistance and adjust actions accordingly.
v) BIG DATA: Big data is a field that treats ways to analyze, systematically extract information
from or otherwise deal with data sets that are too large or complex to be dealt with by
traditional data processing application software.

B) DISCUSS THE RELEVANCE OF ANY 3 OF THEM TO SURVEYING AND GEOINFORMATICS PRACTISE IN

NIGERIA TODAY

ANSWER:

https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/impact-of-technology-on-modern-land-surveying-
techniques/

https://www.gpsworld.com/the-surveyor-and-artificial-intelligence-a-look-ahead/

https://geoawesomeness.com/os-turns-to-machine-learning-to-derive-street-level-mapping-data/

https://expertsystem.com/machine-learning-definition/#:~:text=Machine%20learning%20is%20an
%20application,use%20it%20learn%20for%20themselves.

https://www.geomaticsworld.co.uk/content/article/is-big-data-a-big-problem-for-surveyors

82
DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SURVEY SERVICES AND THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONALS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY:
(i) ENGINEERS, (ii) TOWN PLANNERS (iii) ESTATE SURVEYORS & VALUERS. (Q5,2018)

ANSWER

(i) Engineers; Engineers can be trained in any number of types of construction, ranging from
architectural to mechanical or structural. Every type of engineer works on specific types of construction
projects or is used in particular steps of that project. In any circumstance, that engineer will work
alongside a surveyor.

Surveyors who provide survey services provides important information about the site to architects and
engineers, which helps them to list out the important site specific details they need to take into account
for a project. For example, the surveyor can provide the engineer with information about where exactly
the bridge footings should be located and the civil engineer can then determine how much weight the
bridge can hold and the specific building strategies that need to be used for it.

The surveyor also provides information about the topography and helps the engineer develop plans for
accounting for imperfections of the land.

(ii) Town planners; Town planners ensure land is used effectively to meet economic, social and
environmental needs. They are involved in making short and long term decisions about the organization
and development of commercial sites, villages, towns, cities and advising community, local and national
govt to help them make decisions about development. Surveyors who are known for providing survey
services are the eyes and ears of the planner on the ground and in the technical space. The town planner
is the directing force, working with both survey data and planning requirements.

Surveyors are major assets for planners in terms of assisting with identifying outdated information on
maps, in accurate measurements; using the correct metrics for planning and construction process. Also
surveyors assist the planners in providing accurate boundaries to properties and solving title cases.

For planners, professional survey work as a quality control can assist in avoiding potentially costly
mistakes.

(iii) Estate Surveyors & Valuers: estate surveyors and valuers are professionally known for the
valuation of assets both movable and immovable assets. Their works is described as firstly inspecting the
asset to ascertain its condition and thereafter carrying out a market survey and analysis to acquaint
himself with the levels of demand and supply of the asset as well as prices of comparable assets in the
market. Then therefore, the valuation of the subject asset is determined.
Where the survey services is needed by an estate surveyor and valuer is to determine the
boundary of the property and most times, the surveyor assists in solving inaccurate boundaries issues
or incorrect title cases.

An orthophoto, orthophotograph or orthoimage is an aerial photograph or satellite

imagery geometrically corrected ("orthorectified") such that the scale is uniform:
the photo or image follows a given map projection. Unlike an uncorrected aerial
photograph, an orthophoto can be used to measure true distances, because it is an

83
accurate representation of the Earth's surface, having been adjusted
for topographic relief, lens distortion, and camera tilt.

GIS
SURCON QUESTION: THE AVAILABILITY OF UP-TO-DATE SATELLITE IMAGERY MAPS AT
SUITABLE SCALES OF 1:1000 AND LARGER COUPLED WITH THE APPLICATION OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE GEOSPATIAL DATA BASE WILL RENDER THE
SERVICES OF CADASTRAL PRACTICING SURVEYORS MINIMALLY NECESSARY

NOTE:

Surveying is the science of obtaining relative position of features on the earth surface.
Surveying concerns itself with capturing spatial data about portions of the earth and
representing the information of a map. The science and art of surveying have been applied to a
number of disciplines that have become branches of the profession. They include engineering
surveying, hydrographic surveying, mining surveying, aerial photogrammetry, satellite remote
sensing, and cadastral surveying.

Cadastral surveying describes the boundary of a plot or group of plots by measuring the
distances and directions of the boundary lines and depicting them on a plan. Cadastral survey
limits itself to perimeter survey, describing only the boundary lines of a plot of land. This
limitation could be traced to the purpose of perimeter survey, which is to produce title deed
plan (TDP), a registrable instrument for the acquisition of ownership right to a piece of land.

As mentioned above, cadastral surveying represents plots of land on a plan at a large scale so
that the description can be clearly seen on paper. However, advances in space technology,
geographic information system (GIS) and land information system (LIS) have made the process
of map making easier and more efficient. Nowadays, there are satellites orbiting the earth,
which produce satellite images at resolution as high as 3metres. This means that any object as
little as 3metres long can be captured by the satellites. Through the process of digital mapping,
these images can be used to produce digital maps of scale 1:1000 or larger. Boundaries of
individual land ownership holdings can be clearly depicted in such maps.

For example, an orthophoto or mosaic of scale 1:1000 or larger will not only show features at
the boundaries of parcels, but also give a synoptic view of the area. In a GIS environment, plots
can be overlaid on the orthophoto which serves as a base map. The distances and directions of
the sides can therefore be determined and coordinates of their corners calculated. Thus, layout
of entire residential and industrial zones can be designed in a functional land information
system with minimal visit to site.

This technological advancement in surveying and mapping implies certain issues that do not
favor cadastral surveying. Firstly, perimeter survey, as we used to know it, for the purpose of
producing title deed plan will no longer be necessary, and the cadastral surveyor will no longer
be needed to do so. The plots have already been subdivided in the computer system. However,
the surveyor will be required to set out the plots on the ground as depicted on the digital map.

84
Secondly, the cadastral surveyor will also lose his traditional work of layout survey. He will no
longer be needed to survey a parcel and subdivide it to plots since the GIS/LIS does so faster
and with better accuracy.

However, GIS/LIS has not covered many parts of the country. Therefore, presently cadastral
practicing surveyors are having a field day. A time is coming (and it may be sooner than
expected) when technology will render the services of cadastral practicing surveyors minimally
necessary.

In conclusion, it is necessary to give a word admonition to cadastral surveyors. We should

remember that surveying is far bigger than cadastral surveying. In fact, cadastral survey is the
least project any surveyor can undertake. It is time for surveyors to put on their thinking cap. It
is time to stop scratching at the shore of surveying and launch into the deep sea of geo-
informatics where adventure awaits. Modern surveyors should be thinking of new applications
of satellite imageries for resource management, geospatial data management, and provision of
geo-data to meet human needs and solve problems in navigation, transportation,
communication, business management and security. It is time to think of new ways of doing
good old surveying to meet the challenges of the time. Surveyors who refuse to think along
these lines will soon become minimally necessary.

MEGA CITY
SURCON QUESTION: DEVELOPING A NEW MEGA CITY OR IMPROVING AN EXISTING ONE TO A
MEGA CITY WILL REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF PROFESSIONALS OF VARIOUS SPECIALIZATIONS.
FULLY DISCUSS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SURVEYOR TOWARDS THE ATTAINMENT OF SUCH
OBJECTIVE TAKING COGNIZANCE OF ALL AVAILABLE MODERN FACILITIES, INFORMATION AND
TECHNOLOGY.

NOTE:

Planning and developing mega cities have become essential part of social integration and
globalization. Migration of people from rural to urban areas and from one country to another
in search of better life necessitates development of functional cites that have facilities to
provide descent livelihood for people. Such a city have been called mega city.

Social amenities and public utilities are both available and functional in a mega city. Decent
dwelling units are enough and new ones are being provided to serve population increase. Road
networks get to every part of the city and are regularly maintained. The road networks carry
along with them other functional infrastructure such as underground drainage systems, sewage
systems, gas supply, water supply, electricity cables and communication systems.

Needless to say, developing such a large and functional city requires robust, comprehensive
and adequate planning. Accurate and up-to-date geospatial data are of utmost importance for
successful planning. As geospatial data creation and management experts, surveyors make
available the geospatial data upon which the planning shall be based. Surveyors are therefore
the first experts to be consulted for planning and development of a mega city.

85
During the planning phase, the surveyor gives expert advice on the appropriate Geographic
Information System (GIS) or Land Information System (LIS) that will provide the best
technological tool for the development of the city.

Geodetic reference framework of first-order and second-order survey controls will be needed
as geospatial backbone upon which projects in the proposed city shall be based. Surveyors shall
position accurate and reliable control monuments at appropriate locations around and within
the proposed city. All surveys and engineering works within the city shall be tied to those
control points.

Large scale topographic maps shall be needed for planning and design of engineering projects.
Surveyors shall carry out topographic surveys using photogrammetric methods of map
compilation. The topographic maps should be to scale 1:1000 to 1:2500 with contour intervals
from 0.5metre to 2metres.
Aerial photographs and/or satellite imageries will be needed for digital mapping to produce
topographic maps, thematic maps and land cover maps. Other digital map products that will be
useful for planning and development of the proposed city include Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
and ortho-photo. These products, used in GIS environment, make planning, design and
visualization of land-related projects easier to carry out. GIS technology provides the interface
through which planners can zone large portions of land, surveyors can plan layout surveys, and
engineers can design large engineering structures. Nowadays, GIS has become pervasive in
almost all professions as every project related to the earth can be simulated, designed and
visualized on GIS.

While building the new city, surveyors shall carry out as-built surveys to determine exact
position, extent and size of engineering structures. These surveys can be compiled to form
maps of the area. However, a small-scale topographic mapping of the city can also be compiled
using satellite imageries and digital mapping.

Finally, surveyors shall develop a multi-purpose cadastre of the entire city. The cadastre
contains title records, fiscal records, tax assessment records, infrastructure records, land
resources and environmental records such as type of soils, land cover, water courses, and
waste disposal sites. Therefore, among other things, the multi-purpose cadastre can be used
for equitable distribution of land, tax assessment and enforcement, population estimation,
maintenance of infrastructures, agricultural development, and environmental assessment.

In conclusion, as geospatial data managers, surveyors provide data in form of various maps that
are needed for comprehensive planning, execution of projects and development of a mega city.
These data are needed by planners, architects, engineers, agriculturists, tax managers,
hydrologists, estate managers and others. Surveyors are therefore indispensable professionals
whose contributions to planning and development of a mega city cannot be overemphasized.

DIGITAL MAPPING
DIGITAL MAPPING: A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ANY MEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT IN TODAY’S
TECHNOLOGICAL AGE.
86
Digital mapping is a procedure which utilizes geo-referenced digital imageries and computer
systems to produce digital maps and other digital map products. Digital maps are maps that
are computer-based. As such, they can be visualized, edited and manipulated on computerized
devices such as cell phones, laptops and others. Many professional works depend on map for
location, positioning and navigation. Thus, digital mapping provides modern foundational
infrastructure upon which other infrastructures are built for sustainable development.

Over the years, mapping techniques have evolved from analogue to digital mapping, enhancing
quick and efficient production of geospatial information, which is applied in socio-economic
planning, administration, military intelligence, building, civil and water resources engineering,
environmental resource inventory and development, agricultural and ago-allied production, oil
and gas exploration, space exploration, national and international boundary delineation,
satellite positioning, transportation and communication. The fact that almost all sectors of the
economy need maps in their professional activities shows the importance of digital mapping
which is the fastest way of meeting the need for maps in this technological age.

Maps are indispensable for meaningful developments. The use of computer technology makes
digital mapping a reality. Maps and map products such as basemaps, orthophoto mosaic and
digital elevation models (DEM), can now be produced quickly and efficiently to meet the
demand for national development.

Maps and development go hand-in-hand. This fact is apparent in developed nations where
they regularly update the maps of their environment and religiously base all developmental
projects on them. Thus, they are referred to as developed nations. African countries, on the
other hand, have remained largely underdeveloped because their environment is not
adequately mapped and the few areas that are mapped are not regularly updated. And even
though these countries pump funds into infrastructural development, there cannot be
meaningful development without a formidable geospatial foundation provided by adequate,
accurate and up-to-date maps.

Sustainable development has been defined as development that is adequate for the present
needs and does not hinder development of future generations. For any development to be
meaningful, therefore, it must be founded on a bedrock geospatial information. The concept of
mapping has been tested and trusted over the ages as a bedrock upon which sustainable
development can be based. Developed countries have proved this fact as they are using
mapping as a basis for national development. It is therefore disturbing that African nations
simply refuse to appreciate that fact, or they do but would not invest in mapping. Investing in
the applications of mapping is therefore the beginning of meaningful development in any part
of the world. Advantages of digital mapping for meaningful development in today’s
technological age are enormous. A few of them are discussed here.

Firstly, as mentioned above, digital mapping is a computerized procedure for producing maps at
a rate that meets demands for maps and map products.

Secondly, digital mapping makes quick revision and updating of existing maps possible. Most
of the existing maps in developing countries are obsolete and in analogue form. One cost-

87
saving way of digitally mapping the environment is to revise the existing analogue maps by
digitizing them. Digital mapping is done on computers with little ground truthing (that is,
confirmation on the ground what is seen on satellite imageries). Thus, it will considerably
reduce cost.

Thirdly, significant amount of field work is eliminated, and the rigour associated with field
surveying is reduced. Moreover, digital mapping eliminates the rigour of manually handling
large amount of data with complex mathematical computations. Computer software easily
handle them.
In addition, digital mapping eliminates demanding cartographic works such as compilation,
draughting, scribing,, mask-making, lettering, and symbol generation and placement which
require highly skilled personnel.

Furthermore, because it is computer-based, digital mapping makes geospatial data

understandable to wide range of users. Computerized labeling and visualization makes digital
maps easily understood by public non-professional users.

Finally, digital maps can easily be modified on the computer to satisfy specific user needs.
Digital maps generated from raster digitizing capture enormous datasets from which wide
range of professional users can glean. The computer can be used to manipulate these datasets
to produce thematic maps as demanded by various users.

Having extolled the advantages of digital mapping and digital maps, it is important to mention
that mapping generally is capital intensive. It is therefore necessary for governments to realize
that an investment in digital mapping is long-term and may not yield expected profit
immediately. But, like a strong foundation in which builders have pumped so much fund
through concrete and other building materials, when it is set, digital mapping will then become
a solid foundation on which to build meaningful development. Afterward, generations will
continue to enjoy the benefits of building viable mapping infrastructure on which other
infrastructures can be built.

NIGERIA’S TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MONITORING

SURCON QUESTION: DISCUSS THE INITIATIVE THE SURVEYORS MUST MAKE FOR GEODETIC
POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) APPLICATIONS IN NIGERIA’S TRAFFIC CONTROL AND
MONITORING.

Geodetic Positioning System (GPS) is a global 24-hour, all-weather positioning system that is
based upon a constellation of 24 satellites to determine precise location and position on
earth. GPS is a revolutionary tool for surveying and geomatics. It is being applied to all human
activities that have to do with location, positioning and navigation, which include transport and
transportation systems.

A body of knowledge for such systems is known as Intelligent Transport System (ITS). ITS
consists of intelligent devices which direct traffic flow, detect incidents on the roads, alert for
quick response, inform users of alternative routes, and make transportation network more

88
efficient. These systems allow goods and services to be monitored on transit, encourage
travelers to report incidents, call for assistance, and be located. ITS has been applied in
personal routing, asset tracking, traffic detection, commercial routing, electronic toll collection,
traffic enforcement, and supply chain management. Provision of these activities for the public
has been placed under an umbrella term called location-based services.

Location-based service is simply a service for locating, monitoring and enhancing movement of
people, goods and services from one place to another. Location-based service makes optimum
use of geospatial data. In fact, it has been said that a location-based service is as efficient as the
efficiency of the location technology driving it, which in turn depends on the accuracy of the
geospatial data at its base. These services are provided using GPS technology and geospatial
data.

This new technology opens up new and challenging opportunities for geomatics surveyors who
are the collectors, analysts and managers of geospatial data. Surveyors remain the custodians
of Geodetic Positioning System (GPS), even though the technology is being applied by both
professionals and non-professionals.

Surveyors should take initiative to meet the challenges and enjoy the opportunities. The Office
of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) is mandated by law to coordinate and
supervise all surveys being carried out in the country. OSGOF should therefore take the
initiative of involving surveyors in providing needed maps for traffic control and monitoring.

As mentioned above, Intelligent Transport System and location-based systems need a map base
to function optimally. All GPS-based systems for location and positioning depend on availability
of adequate, accurate and current digital maps of the environment. The accuracy of these
systems depends on the accuracy of the base map upon which they operate. If the maps are
not available, the best the system can do is to indicate the coordinates of the users. They would
not be able to ‘tell’ the road on which the user is driving and the name of the area.

Unfortunately, there are no adequate and current digital maps of Nigerian roads. However, this
unfortunate situation is also an opportunity for surveyors who can collectively synergize to map
Nigerian roads. Using a mobile GPS, which almost all professional surveyors have personally
acquired, connected to a continuously operating reference station (CORS), every surveyor can
map the roads in his or her environment. Collaborating with their professional colleagues
elsewhere in the country, these digital road map data can be integrated to form a
comprehensive digital map of Nigerian roads. The collaboration can be organized by Nigerian
Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and supervised by OSGOF, which shall serve as the ‘collating
center’.

In conclusion, application of GPS to traffic control and monitoring is one of those new
challenges modern technology opens up to surveyors. Professional surveyors have two options:
to face these challenges intelligently and enjoy the opportunities they bring with them, or to
continue focusing only on cadastral survey and let the opportunities slip by. It must be stated,
however, that if surveyors linger for too long, other professionals will take over the
opportunities.

89
 GEOSPATIAL DATA IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS
SURCON QUESTION: THE NECESSITY OF GEOSPATIAL DATA IN PLANNING, PREPARATION AND
EXECUTION OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

Geospatial data gives information about the location of phenomenon and their
characteristics on which human activities depend. Being geographically referenced, geospatial
data or geoinformation gives the location and size of places on the earth surface. Thus,
geospatial data impact the activities taking place on, under and near the surface of the earth.
Therefore, all human activities that are referenced to the earth surface need geospatial data
for effective planning, execution, recording and referencing.

Generally speaking, national elections have a lot in common with population headcount. Like
national census, the aim of elections is to accurately determine the total number of voters in a
polling unit, how many out of that number voted for which candidate and how many did not
vote. These figures are later collated from all polling units and summed to give the final figures.
It is obvious therefore, that basic unit of electioneering system is the polling unit. Like
enumeration units in a population census, polling units should be clearly identified, properly
located, easily accessible, and graphically displayed. Clearly identified, properly located and
easily accessible polling stations guarantee well-organized, peaceful and free and fair elections.

The only tool that can do these effectively is adequate, accurate and current maps, which
graphically display geospatial data. Geospatial data, derived from accurate and current maps,
among other things, can be used to estimate the number of eligible voters through population
census. That estimate will enhance voters registration logistics and distribution of voters
materials.

Moreover, administrative maps will be needed for identification of state and local government
area boundaries. Natural and man-made features within an area can be clearly identified in a
topographic map. In addition, topographic maps give information about the terrain, routes of
access, settlements in rural areas. Orthophotos from aerial photographs and satellite imageries
offer synoptic view of an area, clearly show dwelling units in urban areas and their various
types. Population of urban areas had been estimated from such data. The combination of
topographic maps and orthophotos had been used to locate enumeration areas for population
census. The same method can be used to determine locations of election polling units. Dwelling
units can be grouped to form polling areas, and a suitable place identified in the area to serve
as a polling station. This can be done on appropriate maps before ever going to identify them
on the ground. Thus maps enhance adequate planning of elections.

Furthermore, logistics, transportation and distribution, which are integral parts of planning, can
be done quickly and effectively using geospatial data in maps. Photographs and imageries
provide synoptic view of large areas so that all features of interest can be identified. Roads,
bridges and footpaths leading to areas of interest can be identified and alternative routes
noted. Other places of interest to electoral personnel, such as hotel accommodation,
warehouses, police stations and military formations, can also be identified. This will enhance
distribution of electoral materials and personnel.

90
Security of people and materials before, during and after elections is an important part of
election in developing countries. Security feeds on logistics, intelligent information gathering
and quick response to emergency. These issues strive on availability of data especially
geospatial data about accurate location of crime-prone areas, incidents of fraud and violence,
and routes to follow during quick response. Geospatial information enhances identification of
security breaches even before they occur, disaster mitigation and access to areas where
emergency response is needed. This ensures safety of personnel and electoral materials during
elections.

It is apparent, therefore, that successful and peaceful national elections largely depend on
availability of geospatial data, which can be derived from accurate and up-to-date maps. From
planning before elections to accreditation during elections, and collation of results after
elections, geospatial data play vital roles in national elections. These data are needed for
location of polling stations, logistics, distribution of electoral materials and security of
personnel and the electorate. It is therefore advisable for government to heavily invest in the
collection, processing, storage and distribution of geospatial data for successful national
elections.

CORS
SURCON QUESTION: CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING REFERENCE STATIONS (CORS) USING GNSS
WOULD BE THE SAVIOUR OF NIGERIAN SURVEYS.
Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) is a technological breakthrough in geodetic
positioning. It uses Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to establish active geodetic
reference framework for surveying, mapping and navigation. Since they are continuously
operating, CORS have been referred to as “living” control framework that are fast replacing
traditional passive control points. Whereas traditional control points must be placed on hilltops,
CORS can be placed in valleys and built-up areas where they are needed.

A Continuously Operating Reference Station consists of a viable GNSS receiver and antenna that
are set up in a stable manner and in a safe location with a reliable power supply. The receiver
continuously receives satellite data files and uploads them onto a computer system at a Central
Processing Centre (CPC). The dedicated personal computer makes the data available on the
internet, to which users can connect to determine their position. A remote user needs only one
rover receiver and a registered mobile phone internet connection to access the Central
Processing Centre. A user with a single frequency rover can establish sub-meter precision while
sub-centimeter precision can be established with a dual frequency rover.

91
CORS supports real-time three-dimensional positioning. It has nation-wide coverage, and is
compatible with global reference systems. Unlike traditional control points, CORS can be
established up to 250 Kilometers apart to form a network of geodetic reference framework
covering an entire nation, a continent, or even the earth at large. As the network continuously
downloads satellite data files, it establishes, refines and re-establishes national, regional and
international geodetic reference systems. National and regional datums can thus be redefined.
When these local and regional GNSS CORS are connected to International GNSS Service (IGS)
analysis centres, the satellite data can be used in the progressive realization of the International
Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). In that regard, GNSS CORS network becomes an important
national infrastructure that supports geodetic and geoscientific studies. In the following
sections, some benefits of CORS in sustainable development of Nigeria shall be discussed.

Being a network of geodetic control stations, CORS will greatly enhance the proposed mapping
of the entire country. Instead of spending funds to establish large number of first- and second-
order geodetic control stations, CORS will become geodetic backbone needed to extend
controls to project sites. Thus, CORS will facilitate location and mapping of all landed properties
and resources in the country.

CORS reduces physical equipment and infrastructures needed to carry out surveying and
mapping projects and thereby reducing cost. Moreover, CORS eliminates the need for
densification of controls to specific project sites, reducing time spent on the project and
increasing productivity. Instead of using two receivers, a base and a rover, the surveyor will
need only one rover that is connected to a COR station, thereby reducing survey equipment
cost. Therefore, CORS will practically reduce labour, cost and time spent in mapping projects
across the nation.

The establishment and operation of CORS in Nigeria will enhance the realization of unified
geocentric and vertical datums, and will support efforts to establish a precise geoid for Nigeria
and the African region.

92
Furthermore, the use of CORS network will enhance constant monitoring of ground and
structural subsidence in the coastal and minefield areas of the country. The use of CORS will
also enhance land, sea and air-borne navigation, car and asset tracking, and location-based
services. In summary, CORS network will provide infrastructural backbone for surveying,
mapping, navigation and management of the country’s resources.

Applications of GNSS CORS are as many as the applications of surveying and mapping. Possible
field applications of CORS services include mapping, navigation, engineering survey,
topographic survey, boundary survey, construction staking, utility extension survey, flood study
and analysis, property tax mapping, photogrammetric control survey, wetland and soil location
survey, climate change variability and adaptation, and so forth.

In conclusion, since it is continuously gathering GNSS data files and making them available to
remote receivers for the determination of precise position, CORS network has become a
“living” backbone for surveying, mapping and navigation projects. If established and
operational in Nigeria, CORS would reduce cost of carrying out surveying and mapping projects
in Nigeria. It would eliminate the necessity of establishing traditional geodetic control
monuments and control densification. It would also reduce the number of survey equipment
used per project. CORS network in Nigeria would greatly enhance the much-expected mapping
of the entire country. We might as well say that GNSS CORS would become the savior of
Nigerian survey.

GEO DATA MANAGEMENT

GEODATA MANAGEMENT IS THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF THE SURVEYOR

Geodata or geospatial data are data that have spatial dimensions. That is, they are tied to a
particular location on the earth surface. Traditionally, there are several professions whose
activities are earth-based. In addition to land surveyors, these professionals include
geographers, town planners, civil engineers, geologists, geo-physicists, and estate surveyors.
Among all these professionals, land surveyors have always been the experts whose work
involves collection, analysis, processing and management of geospatial data.

Examples of geodata collected surveyors include coordinates of points describing locations of

phenomena on, near or under the earth surface; hydrographic data describing the
hydrodynamics of water bodies and locations of features in water; magnetic and gravity forces
acting on the earth and impacting its crustal formation and deformation. Modern geospatial
data include aerial photographs satellite imageries, and other data received from satellites
orbiting the earth. These data are used to determine the shape and size of the earth, and
resources in the earth. In a word, geodata are needed for location, positioning, earth resource
management and navigation.

93
Traditional works of the surveyor include capturing of geodata through several techniques of
measurement, analysis of the data using rigorous mathematical computations, and processing
of the data to produce maps and map products.

Advances in technology, availability of computer software and hardware, sophisticated

surveying equipment and satellite positioning systems have made capturing of geodata less
tedious and analysis less rigorous. Now, anybody who is fairly computer literate can operate
computerized surveying equipment and capture geodata in the field. But that does not make
them surveyors any more than the ability to detect a sick person makes any one a medical
doctor. Being able to build a hut does not make anyone a building engineer, nor does it give
them the technical expertise to take over the role of the professional.

In addition to simplifying data capture, technology also opens up for the surveyor new and
challenging professional roles. These roles include Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
expertise, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise, satellite remote sensing analysis,
location-based systems expertise, and geospatial data management expertise, which is the area
some professionals are contesting with surveyors. This contest is as absurd as contesting with a
pregnant woman for her pregnancy.

There is no need wasting time on such absurdity. Surveyors must be at the top of their
profession in order to maintain their role as geodata managers. In that regard, surveyors must
come to terms with the changing realities of their profession. One of such realities is that the
term ‘surveying’ no longer accurately and adequately describe the tasks of the surveyor. That is
why another term ‘Geomatics’ has been provided by surveying experts.

Geomatics is the modern scientific term which refers to the integrated procedure of
measurement, analysis, management, storage and display of geospatial data. Geomatics clearly
describes the shift from measurement to management of geodata. The modern surveyor
(Geomatics Surveyor) is not only a gatherer of geospatial data but also a manager. Geomatics
Surveyors are resource managers because they deal on management of earth resources data.

The modern surveyor should think along this line of data management and not bother himself
with professional pirates who lack fresh ideas in their own profession and want to steal from
us. Even the law recognizes surveyors as geo-data experts and has appropriate punishments for
quacks. The law should be strengthened so that its arms become long enough to catch up with
professional pirates.

94
Meanwhile, surveyors should become better at data management. After capturing, analysis and
processing data, surveyors should learn well the art of managing data for optimum benefit to
people. Geodata and geoinformation are public goods that should be enjoyed by all citizens
within the ambit of the law. It is a role of the surveyor to ensure this. As resource managers,
surveyors should make sure that geodata are always available to all users. Any resource that is
not well managed will soon become a waste, likewise geodata and geoinformation. It is a
sacred responsibility of surveyors to manage geospatial data efficiently so that they are always
available to the public. These data should always be updated so they are adequate, accurate
and up-to-date; thereby they become functional and useful to both professional and non-
professional users.

In conclusion, it must be repeated that geodata management is the exclusive right of surveyors
who hold it in trust for the people. As no other professional manages patients for medical
doctors, no more should any professional attempt to manage geodata on behalf of surveyors. If
that was done, as patients who were managed by a quack doctor, those geodata would waste
away in some office cabinets.

LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM

WHAT IS LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM

Land registration generally describes systems by which matters concerning ownership,

possession or other rights in land can be recorded (usually with government agency or
department)to provide evidence of title, facilitate transactions and to prevent unlawful
disposal. The information recorded and the protection provides will vary by jurisdiction.

One of the most advanced registration system in Nigeria exists in Lagos State. The land
instruments registration law of Lagos state requires that any document affecting land in Lagos
state, in whatever manner, must be registered at the lands registry. Failure to register such
document implies that the document is void. Equally significant is the legal principle that a void
document cannot be pleaded or held admissible by a court of law. The registration of titles law
of Lagos state also compulsorily requires all instruments relating to land to be registered.

BENEFIT OF LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM

 Having a land registration in place, it helps to protect the land from future adversity.

 A proof of title to your land makes you rest assured that it is safe. The proof of title to a
land comes to play to support the ownership claim to land and the title registration
protects the property rights, and also to facilitate any transaction that might take place
on the land, it also qualifies the land to be used as collateral.

 The registration of a land title identifies each individual and state in turn confirms that
the person named in the register has stated rights.

95
  The land title system registration offers numerous benefits which include: for a
government establishment the land title offers representation of major components of a
land information system, it offers an avenue to assist land use planning and
development, it creates basis for land taxation and stimulate investment.

 For an individual, it offers a reduced or no boundary dispute, increased market value,

greater opportunity and access to credit, it creates an avenue for a simpler and less
costly land transaction etc.

 It serves as a proof of ownership to avoid confusion and commotion, because the legal
procedures for dealing in property are cumbersome and sometimes very complicated.

 The land tittle registration helps to promote peace since it clearly protects the property
rights.

 Future prospective buyers can be sure that the registered owner is the legal owner,
which means that the title to the property acquired by the buyer in good faith will not
be affected by future claims which are not registered.

FUNCTION OF LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM / FUNCTION OF A STATE LAND REGISTRY

 The main function of the land state registry is to keep proper records of all land
transaction in the state.

 It also determines record and disseminates information about the ownership, value and
use of land.

 It provides information for land reform or land redistribution policies.

 Provides access to a secure tradable commodity.

 Provides access to formal services and rights.

 Provides access to credit for investment in either business or human capital.

 It provides government with a source of revenue.

 To give government capacity to manage a valuable natural resource.

 To provide security for land owners.

THE VARIOUS TYPES OF REGISTRATION SYSTEM

Land registration systems, involves:-

1. Deeds recording/ registration system, and

2. Title registration ( can be broadly classified into two basic types the Torrens title system and
the English system)
96
1. DEED RECORDING SYSTEM

A Deed recording is a system of giving publicity (advertising) to land transactions and

helping to prevent concealed (hidden) dealings. The act of recording a deed gives notice to
the public of a claimed interest in land and establishes priority against other possible claimants
to the same interest although there is usually no statutory (legal) compulsion for parties to a
transaction to record their documents although it is prudent for them to do so while it is risky if
they do not. An unrecorded document is legally ineffective against any subsequent bona
fide purchaser or mortgagee who first records an interest in the same land. For example,
suppose that a vendor fraudulently sells the same piece of land to two different purchasers at
different times. The purchaser who first records his or her transaction has the better claim to
the land, even if that transaction took place later than the first one, provided the purchaser
has bought in good faith and is unaware of the first purchase. In such a situation the
first purchaser has no claim against the deeds registry and would have to pursue a legal
remedy against the vendor, who by that time might be bankrupt or have fled the jurisdiction
(authority).

SHORTCOMINGS OF DEED RECORDING SYSTEM

Under a system of deeds recording, a document presented for entry is normally

accepted at face value (just a look or a glance) and not subjected to detailed technical
scrutiny by registry staff. Unless a survey plan accompanies document it may be very
difficult to determine the size, shape and location of the land in question. Boundary
descriptions that attempt to define parcel is only limited solely by citing the names of
adjoining owners, who may have departed long ago, are among the possible sources of
confusion in interpreting deeds, also are the frequent ambiguities (doubts) in bounds
descriptions.

A deeds recording system usually offers insufficient information that identify areas and extent
of private and public lands. Not only does this deficiency affect the conveyance (transfer)
process; it leads to uncertainties(doubts) of ownership, boundary disputes, unlawful occupancy,
and the lack of a national, regional or local land inventory (record) for system. For an individual
proprietor (owner), the imperfection of a land title that is not fully documented may
restrict the ability to obtain a mortgage (loan) or other credit financing from a lending
institution. The insecurity of a flawed or uncertain title also impairs (damages) the
marketability of land, inhibits (hinders) its development, and may lead to its eventual
abandonment.

Despite its obvious shortcomings a deeds recording system is sometimes preferred by

some parties to land transactions because documents can be recorded more quickly and at a
lower cost than under a land titles registration system. Deeds registries may also be
favored by some administrations because they are less costly to establish and operate
than land title offices. Also, the fees payable yield substantial revenues to governments.

97
2. TITLE REGISTRATION

Title Registration is more than the mere entry in a public register; it is authentication
(Verification) of the ownership of, or a legal interest in, a parcel of land. The act of
registration confirms transactions that confer, affect or terminate that ownership or
interest and once the registration process is completed no search behind the register is
needed to establish a chain of title to the property, for the register itself is conclusive proof of
title. This type of title is often referred to as indefeasible (or absolute), which means that it
cannot be legally defeated, except in situations where a title was obtained by fraud.

The conclusiveness of title registration is upheld by the state and land titles legislation
offers the assurance, subject to certain exceptions that are specified by statute, that any
person entitled to an interest in a registered parcel who suffers loss resulting from an
error on the part of the Registrar or registry staff, may apply for monetary
compensation from a government fund. The statutory exceptions usually known as
overriding interests, may include such measures as the power of expropriation,
municipal (public) building restrictions and writs of execution against the parcel. This means
that a wise purchaser or mortgagee, in addition to searching the register, should seek legal
advice regarding the investigation of other appropriate sources to discover whether or not
any overriding interests exist. A number that is unduplicated throughout the registration
district identifies each parcel in a land titles registration system. This number remains
unchanged despite any change of ownership, a separate number is issued for each new unit
whenever a parcel is subdivided and also for any new parcel formed by the consolidation
existing parcels. This unique method of parcel identification avoids the use of proprietors’
names, a practice that may cause uncertainty if the same name is in common use.

CHALLENGES OF LAND TITLE REGISTRATION

The following are the challenges facing land registration in Nigeria:

(i) Noticeable discrepancies on the drafted law especially arose, based on non-consultation
with stakeholders and are listed here under. There were emphases on ownership of land,
rather than ownership of interest in landed property. This emphasizes on ownership is in
conflict with the Land Use Act 1978, which recognizes leasehold interest only in land;

(ii) The objective of title registration should not only be universal, but should be compulsory

and certain deemed grand title and village excision should be accommodated in the land
registry;

(iii) Non recognition of title registration, indeed emphasis is placed on deed registration;

(iv) Reservation of the registrar of title position to legal practitioners only as against
professionals who are knowledgeable in land administration;

98
(v) Non anticipation of technological advancement that makes EDMS less reliable in this
modern world;

(vi) Non-capturing of all parcels of land in the state through proper and efficient
cadastral surveys;

(vii) Non recognition of land administration experts such as Estate Surveyors and Valuers as
Registrars of Titles;

(viii) Haphazard storage of land documents at the registry;

EXPOSURE TO PRACTICAL TRAINING

GRADUATE SURVEYORS FROM NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE A THOROUGH EXPOSURE TO
PRACTICAL TRAINING IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY PLAY THEIR DESIRED PROFESSIONAL ROLE IN
NATIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Surveyors are geo-information experts. According to International Federation of Surveyors

(FIG), “a surveyor is a professional person with the academic qualifications and technical
expertise” to carry out surveying and geomatics activities. The academic qualifications are
obtained from universities and other academic institutions, while the technical expertise can
only be attained through practical experience.

By its nature, surveying is a field profession that employs applied sciences in its activities. A
profession for people with brain and brawn, surveying commands both theoretical knowledge
and practical applications of science in its operations. The skills needed to function well as a
surveyor can only be acquired through hand-on experiences in the field. The universities
training programmes are adequate for the theoretical knowledge base needed by professional
surveyors but do not provide the real-world experiences for practical expertise.

In recognition of this fact, the act establishing Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) mandated
the council to, among other functions, “determine what standards of knowledge and skill are to
be attained by persons seeking to become registered as members of the profession of
surveying, and reviewing those standards from time to time as circumstances may require.”

The act further requires that a person seeking to become a surveyor, after obtaining required
academic qualifications, shall be able to show that he or she has been under pupilage for a
minimum of two years acquiring practical training under a surveyor in an approved office. At
the end of the period of two years, the pupil surveyor is required to submit five field projects in
which he or she personally participated. In addition, the pupil surveyor shall sit for an
examination and defend the projects before a panel of professional surveyors. The pupil
surveyor must pass the examination and be able to convince the panel that he or she has
acquired enough practical skills to be considered for registration as a surveyor.

Over the years, the number of pupil surveyors who fail the SURCON examination shows that
many graduate surveyors have not gained enough practical skills needed to become
professional surveyors. Thus, the profession has a problem in its hands.

99
Some solutions have been proposed by professional surveyors. One such solution is the
establishment of a College of Surveying, a type of Law School for graduate lawyers. Graduate
surveyors shall be required, upon graduation, to attend the college for a period of one year,
during which they shall be exposed to practical training.

All the above – minimum of two years pupilage, five practical projects to be submitted to
SURCON, professional examinations and the proposed College of Surveying – are measures to
expose graduate surveyors to practical training in order to help them effectively play their
professional roles in national growth and development.

Thus, it is generally agreed that graduate surveyors must attain acceptable level of knowledge
and skill before they can become professionals. This is more so because of the importance of
surveying to national development.

Surveying has been rightly described as bedrock of development. Surveying provides maps and
map products which are needed for locating, exploring and management of natural resources,
social-economic planning, construction and management of engineering structures and
infrastructures. Without surveying and mapping, planning will not be suitable, infrastructures
will not be durable, and development will not be sustainable. Anyone who must be a
professional surveyor must therefore attain acceptable standards of knowledge and skill
through both theoretical training and practical experience.

It is therefore imperative that graduate surveyors be thoroughly exposed to practical training in

order to effectively play their desired professional role in national growth and development. In
order to make this a reality, it is recommended that, in addition to SURCON examinations and
project submission, the proposed College of Surveying be established. The college experience
shall add to the practical training that graduate surveyors need to attain the standards of
knowledge and skill to become professional surveyors.

SURVEYING IS UBIQUITIOUS
Surveying is both a location-based science and a positioning technology. Surveying combines
technology and geography to accurately establish positions of natural and cultural features on,
near and inside the earth surface. Techniques of surveying have been applied to all human
activities taking place with reference to the earth. Surveying applications have been employed
to solve problems in earth resources exploration and management, engineering construction
and maintenance, agricultural production and processing, military intelligence and strategies,
infrastructural development, estate management, population headcount, tax assessment and
collection, architectural design and landscaping, archeological studies, education, health care
delivery, forestry, telecommunications, navigation, transportation and space exploration. The
list is inexhaustible. This fact makes surveying and its products indispensable in all human
endeavors.

Products of surveying are depicted on maps, charts and other map products. From ancient
100
times, man has used one form of maps or another for navigation, location and positioning.
Maps are indispensable for solving earth-related problems such as deforestation,
desertification, flooding, earthquakes, landslide, ice-melting, air and water pollution, waste
disposal, food shortage, boundary fixing and adjustment, land dispute adjudication, population
estimation, mineral exploration, land distribution and management, resource allocation,
housing, airways, waterways and highways mapping, transportation management, climate
change and so forth.

Surveying provides geospatial data; that is, data that are tied to particular location with
reference to the earth. Geospatial data are indispensable for exploration, storage and
distribution of earth resources; design, construction and maintenance of engineering structures
and infrastructures; location, application and allocation of human and material resources;
government activities of providing public good to its citizens, and many others. In the following
sections attempts shall be made to describe the need and applications of geospatial data in
some vital areas of human activities.
Geospatial data provides essential information for the location and construction of utilities such
as roads, schools, health care centers, markets, power lines, pipelines and sewage systems.
Administrative boundaries of localities, ground relief and locations of natural and man-made
features on the ground are of topmost consideration. In order to accurately locate features on
the earth, therefore, it is necessary to use topographic maps from which such information can
be derived.
Geospatial data from topographic maps provides the basis for mapping enumeration areas as
part of planning for population census. Geo information from such maps gives planners needed
knowledge about locations, terrain and access to places of interest.

Exploration and exploitation of mineral resources have been made possible by surveying
techniques. These surveys give accurate location, size and shape of mineral deposits and
accurate positioning of equipment to explore them. Surveying techniques of topographic and
corridor mapping are used to position pipelines and highways for the distribution of the
explored minerals. As-built survey is used to map and document the position of pipelines and
highways after construction.

In agriculture, geospatial data from satellite imageries are being used to monitor crop health
and increase yield through the techniques of remote sensing. The data generated from the
raster images gives farmers synoptic view of their expansive farmland, through which they are
able to monitor crops in real time. Stunted growth, diseased crops and activities of pests are
easily discovered and quickly mitigated.

Surveying data and techniques are useful in urban planning, housing and estate development.
Land information System (LIS), a modern computerized geo-information system provides
planners with digital tools to visualize an environment, plan layouts and sub-divide plots

101
appropriately. Thus, residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial land-use is made
available for sustainable development.

Surveying provides stable platforms on which engineering structures and infrastructures are
founded. There cannot be durable and sustainable infrastructures without surveying inputs.
Until the land is accurately surveyed, no engineering structures can be established. In the first
place, surveying provides geospatial data for planning and design of any engineering work.
Engineers need accurate and current map about the location before they ever go to the
drawing board. After design, staking out of the engineering design also depends on accuracy of
the geospatial data with which it was designed.

Furthermore, surveying and geo-data are of utmost importance in disaster forecasting,

monitoring, management, mitigation and quick response during emergency. Remotely sensed
data gives synoptic view of the affected areas and extent of the disaster. Topographic maps
show how response agents can have access to the affected areas. At sea, hydrographic charts
show vital information about distance from shore, sea bed topography, tides and water
currents. These pieces of information have been used to mitigate disasters such as flooding,
earthquake and oil spillage.

Time and space will not allow detailed description of applications of surveying in many other
areas of human endeavors. Moreover, it is necessary to mention that surveying is being applied
in telecommunication, transportation, navigation, space exploration, distribution of goods and
services, and business organizations where customer locations and monitoring of goods and
services on transit are of utmost importance. Others are location-based services, supply chain
management, logistics, military strategies, mining, manufacturing, crime fighting, weather
forecasting and so forth. Needless to say, therefore, that surveying is indispensable and needed
in all areas of human endeavors. Surveying is truly ubiquitous.

SURVEYING AND NOT GEOINFORMATICS

THE SCIENCE OF DEPICTING THE POSITIONS OF POINTS ON THE EARHT’S SURFACE FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PRODUCING MAPS AND MAP-RELATED INFORMATION IS SURVEYING, AND NOT
GEOINFORMATICS.

102
 Surveying is the science of obtaining information about relative
positions of points on, above or below the earth’s surface and representing the information on
maps. Surveying concerns itself with collection and processing of geospatial data. Being one of
the oldest professions, over the years surveying has remained one of the most important tasks
man engages for the sustenance of the earth and its resources.

However, as technology changes, the techniques of surveying have changed from plane-table
surveying to satellite techniques. The old has been replaced (or displaced) by advanced
techniques which are technology-driven. As more intelligence is being built into surveying
equipments, data gathering is now being simplified and ordinary people who can operate
computerized equipment can collect data as much as any surveyor. Thus, the surveyor is fast
losing most of his data collection tasks.

This situation called for re-examination of the essential work of the surveyor. It was therefore
agreed that the work of the surveyor is not only data measurement, which traditional surveying
presupposes, but also data management, which geoinformatics describes.

Thus, in the advanced world, the term ‘surveying’ has been supported with another
professional term ‘geomatics’ or ‘geomatics engineering’. Geomatics properly describes what is
now known as ‘paradigm shift from measurement to management.’

Geomatics (or geoinformatics) is the modern scientific term referring o the integrated approach
of measurement, analysis, management, storage and display of geospatial data. Unlike
traditional surveying in which data are collected using field methods, modern data capturing
techniques include the use of satellite sensors and computerized equipment. These data are
processed, analyzed, manipulated and displayed using computer systems. The digital data are
used to produce digital maps. These map products have applications in earth-based professions
such as environmental resource planning, monitoring and exploitation, socio-economic
planning, engineering design and construction and so forth. Geomatics lends itself to digital
mapping, which is the modern technique of mapping.

As mentioned above. There has been a major ‘paradigm shift’ in surveying and mapping. The
change is comparable to a change from plane-table survey to satellite mapping. The fact is that
mapping by traditional field surveying to produce analogue maps has been replaced by digital
mapping using satellite imageries, Geographic Information systems (GIS) and other computer
systems to produce digital maps.

103
It is therefore generally agreed that the term ‘surveying’ no longer accurately describe the roles
of the modern surveyor. As GIS, digital and space technologies gain prominence in their
applications in surveying, the modern surveyor uses new techniques for data acquisition, data
analysis and data management. A change in the name of the profession has become necessary
and all stake holders agree.

The problem, however, is whether or not the term ‘geoinformatics’ or ‘geomatics’ can
completely replace (or should completely replace) the term ‘surveying’. From the descriptions
outlined above, it is clear that both surveying and geoinformatics in principle refer to the same
role of depicting the positions of points on earth’s surface for the purpose of producing maps
and map-related information. The difference between the two concepts is the techniques
employed to achieve the same aim. Surveying employs traditional methods while
geoinformatics makes use of modern techniques to achieve the same aim of map production.
The name change reflects the modern techniques of mapping and the new roles of surveyors as
geodata managers, custodians and maintenance experts.

In conclusion, it is appropriate to note root words in geoinformatics: geo (meaning the earth),
information and mathematics. These words describe the modern surveyor as the professional
who manages and makes available earth resources data in mathematical format. In realization
of the name change, and while not willing to completely dump the traditional name, academics
have changed the name of their surveying departments in institutions to ‘surveying and
geoinformatics’. This is a commendable way of integrating the old and the new. But then, who
is afraid of replacing the old with the new? Who is afraid of change?

104
 TENDER DOCUMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF AERIAL
PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAPPING OF AN AREA
PREPARE A TENDER DOCUMENT WHICH COULD PREFERABLY BE IN TERMS OF BILLS OF
QUANTITIES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND MAPPING OF AN AREA
ABOUT 900KM2 IN AJAOKUTA. MAP SCALE = 1:2,000. CONTOUR INTERVAL = 2M.

Introduction
The project area of 900km2 could be taken as approximately 30km and 30km. second-order
controls approximately apart shall be established throughout the project area. Thus, 100 of
such controls shall be pre-marked in the project area.

Number of Photographs
Number of photographs to be produced can be calculated thus:
At average photo scale of 1:2000, ground area covered by each photograph would be 15m by
15m.
Using standard format photo size of 230mm x 230mm, of which 60% is overlapped, the new
ground covered at this scale by each photo is 40% of 230mm = 92mm
Therefore, the number of photo per strip = 15,000mm ÷ 92mm = 164, plus say 2 at each end to
ensure coverage, totaling 168 photos.
Likewise, for 30% lateral overlap the number of strips = 15,000 ÷ (70% of 230mm) = 94
Total number of photographs = 168 x 94 = 15,792

Number of Map Sheets

Map sheet is A1, that is, 520mm x 580mm.
Number of sheets = (15,000 ÷ 520) x (15,000 ÷ 580) = 29 x 26 = 754

Bill of Quantities
The bill of quantities is tabulated below:

105
Conclusion
The bill of quantities presented above was prepared so that the project could be concluded
within a period of three months.

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY ARE

OBSOLETE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY OUTDATED

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY ARE OBSOLETE AND

TECHNOLOGICALLY OUTDATED. DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS AND THE WAY OUT.

Maps are graphical representation of (or portions of) the earth surface. A map describes the
features on, near or below the earth surface in picture form. Generally, maps are geo-
referenced; that is, items on the maps are referenced to an earth-based datum or reference

106
system. This makes maps location-sensitive, and so all features described by the maps can be
located through a coordinate system.

There are many types of maps, depending on what they can be used to do. There are maps that
simply show administrative boundaries, delineating one place from other places. They are
called administrative maps. There are also thematic maps, which describe a particular group of
similar items on the earth surface. Examples include maps showing location of mineral
resources, population distribution maps, geological maps and so forth. Perhaps the most useful
of all maps is topographic map, which combines detailed natural and man-made features on
the earth surface with ground relief. A typical topographic map shows places such as markets,
hospitals, fire stations, police stations, villages, towns, cities, worship centres and major
buildings; natural features such as rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, farmlands, forests,
wetlands, deserts and others; man-made structures such as roads, bridges, dams and so on.
Topographic map is so useful because, in addition to those items, it shows ground relief, the
elevation of the ground at every point along the terrain. With such information, good map
readers can tell how high or low the ground is at particular place.

These characteristics of topographic maps make them useful to various professionals and non-
professional users such as the military strategists, engineers, agriculturalists, economic
planners, tax managers, architects, estate developers, rescue managers, navigators,
hydrologists, archeologists, oceanographers, aviation experts, and so forth. The usefulness of
topographic maps makes them indispensable for sustainable development, and so they must be
regularly updated in order to remain useful. Thus, developed countries keep their maps
adequate, accurate and up-to-date. In fact, availability of accurate and current maps covering
all or most parts of a country distinguishes developed countries from developing countries.

Like many African countries, there has not been a major mapping of Nigeria in decades. Many
years of military rule have destroyed much of the mapping infrastructures the country had at
independence. The military, who should better appreciate the importance of mapping to
national development, did not do any major mapping of the country, rather they impoverished
the mapping institutions. The institutions were resuscitated later in 2000s when the country
returned to democratic government.

Since there was no major mapping the country over the years, the topographic maps covering
the entire country have become obsolete and technologically outdated. Maps are dynamic
entities because the surface of the earth is dynamic in nature. Maps that were produced during
colonial rule or immediately after independence in the 1960s cannot adequately describe the
Nigeria of today. Things have changed and things are changing. The hills of those years have
become plains, the rivers have changed courses, the rural areas have become urban areas,
107
deforestation and desertification have occurred and the topographic surface of the country has
changed. There is therefore a need to update existing topographic maps covering the country.

Digital mapping provides a solution to the problem. Digital mapping utilizes a combination of
geo-referenced digital imageries and computer systems to produce digital maps. Digital
mapping of the country can be done using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) techniques. Advances in technology have made mapping easier and better to carry out,
provided government is willing to invest in the sector.

Cost has always been one excuse government gives for not mapping the country. Experts have
estimated the cost of acquisition of satellite imageries that cover the entire country as about
N10 billion. Since cost of data takes substantial part of any mapping project, it them means that
with about N50 billion the entire country can be mapped. This amount is not outrageous. For
instance, a 30-Kilometer multi-lane road in Abuja with about five over-head bridges and five
pedestrian bridges, cost the nation about N40 billion. Therefore, investing N50 billion to map
the entire country for sustainable development cannot be too much.

There is always a way out. The government should make it a priority to invest in mapping.
Government can set up an intervention fund managed by the presidency. The fund could be
generated from percentages of taxes paid by privately owned companies, royalties and excise.
Government need not waste fund setting up a commission. The Office of the Surveyor-General
of the Federation (OSGOF) could be mandated to carry out the mapping. OSGOF could also be
saddled with the commercial aspect of maps and map products.

Poor technical literacy has also been identified as a problem. There are mapping experts in
Nigeria, though may not be adequate. Mapping of a country like Nigeria is an enormous project
that needs many mapping experts both in the office and in the field. This problem can be solved
by co-opting graduate surveyors as assistant technical experts both in the office and in the field.
If foreign experts are needed, they should be made to train local contents in addition to their
expert work.

In conclusion, there can only be sustainable development when and only when adequate,
accurate and current maps covering the entire country are available. At present, what the
country can boast of are obsolete and technologically outdated maps. If the government is
willing, funds can be generated to map the entire country and put Nigeria among countries that
are taking giant strides toward sustainable development.

108