Surveyors have been advised to embrace technology and tackle quackery in order to remain relevant in the global marketplace.
The advice was given by the President of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Ibikunle Adaranijo, during the association’s Annual Professional Workshop and Luncheon in Lagos.
The workshop was tagged: “The future of the geospatial profession; Consulting and business prospective”.
READ ALSO: Surveyors Seek Empowerment for Women in Construction Industry
Adaranijo said quacks constituted a problem for the professionals, adding that their patrons would record losses because the work done by quacks would be detected when they are seeking Certificate of Occupancy’s approval.
He said to protect the public, APPSN embarked on sensitization on risks and benefits of using only registered surveyors.
According to him, there is an application to guide the public on the information about his association and list and contacts of registered surveyors for patronage.
He listed the objectives of APPSN and how it complemented the NIS and Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) in upholding ethics.
Also, the guest speaker, Dr. Shola Ajani, called for more awareness, collaboration and use of technology against quacks.
Ajani urged the APPSN and other surveyor bodies to create a platform where quacks could be trained to close the gap on shortage of experts.
“The entire nation has just about 6,000 experts and the vacuum has created a huge demand which helps the quacks thrive.
READ ALSO: Stakeholders urge surveyors to embrace modern technologies
“Surveyors are also guilty of varying their operations from land, to quantities and other aspects of the practice, leaving the public confused. The market place doesn’t know the difference.
He shared business opportunities on how competition, products and clients were important and how to take proactive steps to remain relevant.
The CEO called for increased registration to boost the 6,000 membership; partnership with the value chain; pre-mapping of areas; enhanced legislation; awareness creation and competency development as ways surveyors could excel.
He shared tips on how to surmount advertising restrictions on the profession by delving into content marketing, writing articles for solutions in the sector.
The special guest of honour, Mr. Kunle Ogunbadewa, raised the alarm over the declining use of surveyors.
Ogunbadewa, while declaring the programme open, said surveyors were important in achieving precision and efficiency as well as development of Nigeria.
Other speakers and the technical sessions discussed pitfalls in survey plans, resolution of ethical issues, ways to avert traps of backdating, validation principles, title resolutions and other rules in line with global practices.
READ ALSO: Surveyors report material shortage in construction sector
READ ALSO: Estate Surveyors Push For The Repeal Of The Land Use Act From The Constitution
Source: Nationng
