Minister lauds surveyors’ role

 SURVEYS are always in the forefront of any major infrastructure development and they play a vital role in this nation, says Lands and Physical Planning Minister Benny Allan (pictured).

Speaking at the 48th annual surveyors’ congress in Port Moresby yesterday, Allan said without surveyors’ contribution there could not be any physical developments such as roads, bridges, wharfs, airports, towns and cities.

Surveyors define boundaries of properties, and provide spatial data to engineers, architects and other professions who use those data in designing and planning of development projects, he said.

“My challenge to you as surveyors both private and public sector is to work together as land professionals in disseminating the correct information and awareness on the recently amended laws on Incorporated Land Groups Act and the Voluntary Customary Land Registration process,”  Allan said.

He said the government aimed to see 20% of land held under customary tenure or ownership made available for economic and social development.

“We would like to see equal participation by the bulk of its citizens who live in the rural communities.

“The government recognises the important role that you play in the development of our nation and I commend you for your contribution.

“After 45 years since the first PNG surveyors enrolled into the surveying school at the PNG University of Technology in Lae (known as the PNG Institute of Technology in 1969) the first surveying grades were in 1972.”