The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF), Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, has urged the creation of an enforcement unit within his office to tackle the ongoing issue of illegal building on floodplains across Nigeria, particularly amid housing and infrastructure development projects.
Adebomehin made this appeal during an interview on TVC News’ Breakfast Programme, titled “Mapping a Brighter Future: Enhancing Nigeria’s Development Through Accurate Mapping,” which aired on Wednesday.
Addressing the persistent flooding challenges nationwide, he highlighted the problem of continuous construction on flood-prone areas despite repeated warnings:
“Floodplains continue to be built upon, but we lack an enforcement arm to stop this,” he explained.
Although his office holds precise geospatial data — including detailed flood, forest, and environmental maps — Adebomehin lamented that the Surveyor General’s office currently has no legal authority to enforce these findings.
“We have the maps that clearly mark vulnerable flood zones, but without legal backing, we cannot prevent encroachments. The National Assembly must enact legislation empowering us to enforce map-based regulations,” he added.
He further explained that while the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGOF) is vital for national planning and disaster management, it does not have the necessary tools or mandate to act firmly against violations:
“We are not armed like security agencies, yet our scientifically backed maps are often ignored, undermining national safety and urban development. There must be a framework to hold violators accountable,” he stated.
Adebomehin noted that many countries incorporate enforcement roles within their surveyor general offices, especially those prioritizing sustainable environmental and urban planning.
He also pointed out the inconsistent cooperation from security agencies, saying:
“Some agencies consult us and acknowledge our data’s importance; others do not. OSGOF holds the only sovereign and scientifically validated geographic data defining Nigeria’s land reality.”
He appealed to lawmakers to consider granting enforcement powers to OSGOF to ensure proper land use, reduce disaster risks, and promote sustainable development.
“If Nigeria is serious about controlling floods and promoting orderly development, the Surveyor General’s office must be empowered beyond mapping to act as a regulatory authority,” Adebomehin concluded.
