The Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has advocated for the installation of 149 satellite stations throughout Nigeria in order to improve emergency response and national security.
Adebomehin emphasized the critical role of real-time imaging in identifying and responding to threats such as terrorism and banditry.
According to him, the proposed satellite network would provide the necessary data required to detect and successfully handle security issues.
The Surveyor-General made those remarks during a recent visit by the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Goronyo, yesterday, in Abuja.
In a statement made public by the director of press and public relations at the Works Ministry, Mohammed Ahmed and the head of press and public relations at the Office of the Surveyor-General, Sani Datti said the visit gave the minister insight into the difficulties the office faces, including staff welfare concerns.
Describing some of the persistent challenges that burden the office’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities, Abuduganiyu Adebomehin made it known that The United Nations has advised that countries need to have Continuously Operating Reference Stations, adding that those stations can aid in search and rescue during emergencies.
He said “We have developed only 51 out of the 200 required in the country, with assistance from some private organisations. CORS is valuable in mechanised farming, search and rescue, and combating insurgency, as it allows personnel to pinpoint their locations. We require funding to address boundary issues, as it is essential to demarcate the boundaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”
He concluded his statement by requesting increased funding for the office to achieve much of its objectives.
In response, the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Goronyo said, “Access to mapping data can play a critical role in addressing the security challenges currently faced by the country. I believe the Office of the Surveyor General is vital for achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. I commend the Surveyor General of the Federation for the numerous accomplishments of the office, despite the significant challenges.”
“You cannot achieve your desired goal without having accurate data. This is one office that has been working for over 100 years. And because of the advancement in technology, a lot of equipment has become obsolete,” he added.
He promised to help the Office of the Surveyor-General overcome its obstacles by looking into the possibility of adding more Active Control Points to help the Office carry out its responsibilities.
