Emelam Udo Umuahia.
Abia State Government has expressed her willingness to partner with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in road constructions in the State.
Don Otuochere Oti the Commissioner for Works, made this known in office in Umuahia when members of the Institution, Abia State Branch paid him a courtesy visit.
He stated that the State Governor, Alex Otti understood the need of engaging professionals in everything he does in order get it right the State.
Oti further said that the use of Base-map in the development of the State could not be ruled out because the State would not continue to be developed haphazardly.
He pointed out that Base-map when put to use in the preparation of the master plan of any construction, makes it possible to place structures in the right places to avoid problems in the future.
The Commissioner further assured the team of surveyors of the readiness of the Ministry of Works to work with them when the need arises.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Abia State Branch Robert Akpanta stressed the need to use registered Surveyors that are adequately trained to provide survey data as this would reduce to the barest minimum, the adverse effect of flooding and erosion in the State
He said that in the time past, some road projects executed in the State got bad within a short period of time after construction, stating that the result of those failures might be that the survey data required for execution of the projects were ignored or that the survey data were provided by unqualified personnel.
He noted that such road projects as Faulks Road and Umuatako Road all in Aba were part of the roads he was talking about.
He also stated that the newly constructed drainage network along Aba/Owerri Road done by the past administration in the State is not functioning optimally.
Other members of the Surveyors team who aired their views on the need to engage qualified Surveyors in the development of Abia State include O. Achinivu and N.C. Mba among others
