A former President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Dr. Olusola Atilola, has said that the surveying profession has been neglected and relegated to the background by the government.

Atilola, who spoke at a Fellows’ cocktail organised in his honour by the Lagos chapter of the NIS, noted that the relegation of the profession, which he described as a foremost profession in the built environment in the country, had created room for encroachment by other professionals in the building and construction sector.

He said, “Surveying has been relegated to the background but we must move forward. Most of the areas where we have competence are now being taken over by other professionals except cadastral survey, which has to be signed.

The Chairman, NIS, Lagos chapter, Mr. Gbenga Alara, said the event was to recognise, honour and celebrate the contributions and landmark achievement of the leaders of the profession of surveying.

According to him, Atilola has distinguished himself as a Fellow, past secretary general, president of the institution, and past chairman of the Lagos chapter.

He added, “At this crucial time in the life of our institution and profession, members would be expected to look up to some leaders for inspiration and direction in handling some burning issues.

“We will need to identify a leader and defer to that leader to provide strategic leadership that focuses on tomorrow rather than yesterday; a leader who sees the seemingly invisible and hears the sound inaudible.”

PUNCH.