NAN-H-4
Information
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Aug. 24, 2017 (NAN) A don, Prof. Peter Nwilo, on Thursday advised the federal and state governments to use available Geospatial Information (GI) in the country for infrastructure development.
GeospatiaI Information is also called GeographicaI Information and is the result of the interpretation of visualising or analysing geospatial data.
Nwilo gave this advice while delivering his Inaugural Lecture on “Geospatial Information As An Imperative for Infrastructure Development and Environmental Management in Nigeria,’’ at the University of Lagos.
Nwilo, professor of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, said the data generated with geospatial information provided the foundation for proper development in any country.
“The Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) and research centres have these data required for the nation’s infrastructure development.
“The OSCoF has a vast inventory of geospatial data and information on Nigeria.
“These data and information have wide applications in location-based services, topographic mapping, mineral exploration and transportation.
“The OSCoF has high resolution satellite imagery products (SPOT 2.5-Metre natural imagery and SPOT 20-Metre digital elevation model) from Infoterra, U.K., covering the entire country.
“Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government should take advantage of these data for infrastructure development,’’ said the former Surveyor-General of the Federation.
Nwilo said that geospatial datasets were valuable for urban development, water resources management and infrastructure support.
He said that the present network of Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) in the country should be improved upon.
The professor said that the Federal Government should fund the establishment and periodic maintenance of new CORS.
He noted that Lagos State and Ogun had established their own CORS, adding that other state governments should emulate them and show interest in establishment of the facility.
Nwilo said the country should renew investment in geodetic infrastructure in order to maintain and modernise existing systems.
He said that would also enable the development of sophisticated new applications with significant economic, national security and scientific benefits. (NAN)
ACA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)