- FG to Use Drones for Mapping, Surveying
The Federal Government is to deploy drones for the mapping and surveying of the country from this year.
According to the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, plans for the acquisition of drones have advanced tremendously, as the 2017 budget is expected to ensure its implementation.
A drone is an unmanned spacecraft that can be remotely controlled or allowed to act autonomously.
Speaking while playing host to members of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, led by the Chairman of Abuja chapter, Bola Balogun, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, said the drones, when they arrived later in the year, would be used purely for mapping, surveying and research work.
He stated, “We are working towards acquiring drones for purely surveying and mapping purposes. With drones, we can tell you how much your cities are expanding on a monthly or fortnightly basis.
“We are doing this to also ensure that the country diversifies into agriculture, minerals sector and others, as we provide the right data for locations in order to guarantee sustainable mining and agricultural decisions.”
Asked when the government would be put the drones into use, Awudu said, “We have been speaking very favourably with our committees at the National Assembly and they are also very desirous that we have at least a scientific drone for surveying and mapping use and for research works.
“As discussions continue, we believe that this year we will be able to have a drone in the first instance to start this vision that we have, given the support we are getting from both the National Assembly and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.”
Awudu, however, noted that paucity of funds had limited the OSGOF for close to a decade, adding that this had made it difficult for the organisation to generate the required revenue needed to sustain its operations without depending on budgetary allocations.
He said, “The Ordnance Survey International of Great Britain visited us last year and they said this office could generate $3bn annually, which is true, and even more. The machines here work 24 hours and we can produce all kinds of maps and map alternatives. All kinds of maps can be generated and printed here.”
