By Joy Odor
The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF), Surv. Abudulganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, has outlined the new roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) following its recent relocation to the Presidency.
Speaking while hosting Executives of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), Abuja branch, in Abuja, Adebomehin said the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to streamline shoreline administration and enforce proper documentation.
He disclosed that, in line with the directive, all requests for Certificates of Occupancy, permits, and survey plans along Nigeria’s shoreline are to be put on hold pending assessment and approval by OSGOF.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is also required to submit all prior approvals granted to individuals or corporate entities to OSGOF, while all documents previously submitted to other ministries, departments, and agencies concerning the shoreline should now be redirected to his office.
Adebomehin warned that some states and agencies are still duplicating OSGOF’s functions or allocating shoreline spaces contrary to the President’s directive.
“The enforcement unit will demolish anything within the right of way (ROW). This is an executive order. The Federal Government does not want any unapproved allocation around the shoreline, in line with the law of the sea. OSGOF has the right map,” he stressed.
President of NIS, Surv. Chief P.C. Eze, commended Adebomehin’s leadership and expressed readiness to collaborate with OSGOF.
“We have APPSN, NIS, and OSGOF, let there be synergy so that we can achieve the goals that have eluded us for years. The tripod is set, and it cannot wither away,” he said.
NIS Secretary-General, Surv. Folakemi Odunewu, presented a seven-point agenda to OSGOF, including the digital transformation of the NIS National Secretariat, strengthened public relations and advocacy, re-agitation of the Survey Coordination Act, new structures for professional excellence awards, and pushing for the creation of a Ministry of Surveying and Geoinformatics.
The meeting also featured extensive deliberations on enhancing professional collaboration and ensuring effective enforcement of shoreline regulations.
