Housing Ministry To Facilitate Reconstitution of SURCON - Belgore
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, has given assurance that the Ministry would facilitate the reconstitution of the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria (SURCON) to enable it to function optimally.
Dr. Belgore gave the assurance when a delegation from SURCON paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
He stated that the ministry would write to the Presidency, highlighting the significance of the Council in the practice of surveying and its impact on the career advancement of members in the civil service and to request for the reconstitution of the SURCON, assuring appropriate follow-up to secure the necessary consideration.
"Without the Council in place, crucial processes such as promotions within the profession will be halted," Belgore noted
The Ninth Council of SURCON was dissolved in June 2023 along with other federal boards and councils.
Established by Decree 44 of 1989 (now Cap S.18 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), SURCON is responsible for the registration and regulation of surveyors in Nigeria.
The 59-member Council determines professional standards, sets registration requirements, and periodically reviews the standards to ensure best practices in the profession.
On the issue of funding, Dr. Belgore advised SURCON to explore grant opportunities through the Ministry, recommending that the Council submit a formal request outlining its financial challenges and justifications for government intervention.
Similarly, he encouraged SURCON to be proactive in seeking financial support from stakeholders to enhance its self-sufficiency.
Earlier, the Registrar of SURCON, Surv. Kunle Olugbemiro, stated that the aimed of the visit was to appeal for the intervention of the ministry for the reconstitution of the council and secure financial support.
He noted that while SURCON previously received funding through the Federal Government’s Appropriation Act and internally generated revenue (IGR), federal funding was withdrawn in December 2023, severely impacting the Council’s regulatory functions, including the monitoring of surveying practices.
Olugbemiro outlined SURCON’s main IGR sources, including practice fees, registration fees, enlistment fees, sale of publications, and accreditation visitation fees.
On his part, the President of Surveyors Council of Nigeria and Surveyor General of the Federation, Surv. Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, while emphasizing the urgency of reconstituting the council, highlighted that meetings and examinations cannot be conducted without a properly constituted Council.
He appealed for the Ministry to urgently interven and also advocated for financial support to enable the Council to pay gratuities to its retiring officers.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a formal brief on SURCON to the Permanent Secretary.
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