By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Federal Government has created the Department of Cartography and Geographic Information System (C & GIS) in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF) for mass production of useful maps and Geo Spatial data to fast-track national reconstruction and socioeconomic development.
In a press statement released by the Office yesterday in Abuja and signed by its Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr. Abu I. Michael, it noted that Acting Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGoF), Surv. Taiwo S. Adeniran disclosed this on occasion of the 41st International Conference/ Workshop and Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Cartographic Association (NCA) held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna.
According to the statement, “Acting SGoF, who was represented at the event by the Director of Cartography, Surv. Emmanuel C. Nwakanma says “To give credence to the importance attached to the Cartography/Mapping profession in Nigeria, the Federal Government through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has created a Cartography and GIS Department in the OSGoF. He informed the conference that the Director of the new department is a member of the NCA.
“He said the best mapped countries are the most developed in the world and vice versa. “The world cannot boast of where it is today without the enormous contributions of Cartographers / Map Makers. It is indeed difficult to imagine how life would have been without Maps and Geo Information products. Proper planning and development is easier and faster by referring to maps. Consequently, the best mapped countries of the world are the most developed and vice versa”, he said.
“He commended the theme of the conference: “Digital Cartography and Geospatial Intelligence for National Security, Planning and Development” describing the theme as apt, in view of the various challenges such as corruption, insecurity, environmental degradation, economic downturn, infrastructure deficit and unemployment among others confronting the country”.
