TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY ARE OBSOLETE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY OUTDATED

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS COVERING THE WHOLE COUNTRY ARE OBSOLETE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY OUTDATED. DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS AND THE WAY OUT.

Maps are graphical representation of (or portions of) the earth surface. A map describes the features on, near or below the earth surface in picture form. Generally, maps are geo-referenced; that is, items on the maps are referenced to an earth-based datum or reference system. This makes maps location-sensitive, and so all features described by the maps can be located through a coordinate system.

There are many types of maps, depending on what they can be used to do. There are maps that simply show administrative boundaries, delineating one place from other places. They are called administrative maps. There are also thematic maps, which describe a particular group of similar items on the earth surface. Examples include maps showing location of mineral resources, population distribution maps, geological maps and so forth. Perhaps the most useful of all maps is topographic map, which combines detailed natural and man-made features on the earth surface with ground relief. A typical topographic map shows places such as markets, hospitals, fire stations, police stations, villages, towns, cities, worship centres and major buildings; natural features such as rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, farmlands, forests, wetlands, deserts and others; man-made structures such as roads, bridges, dams and so on. Topographic map is so useful because, in addition to those items, it shows ground relief, the elevation of the ground at every point along the terrain. With such information, good map readers can tell how high or low the ground is at particular place.

These characteristics of topographic maps make them useful to various professionals and non-professional users such as the military strategists, engineers, agriculturalists, economic planners, tax managers, architects, estate developers, rescue managers, navigators, hydrologists, archeologists, oceanographers, aviation experts, and so forth. The usefulness of topographic maps makes them indispensable for sustainable development, and so they must be regularly updated in order to remain useful. Thus, developed countries keep their maps adequate, accurate and up-to-date. In fact, availability of accurate and current maps covering all or most parts of a country distinguishes developed countries from developing countries.

Like many African countries, there has not been a major mapping of Nigeria in decades. Many years of military rule have destroyed much of the mapping infrastructures the country had at independence. The military, who should better appreciate the importance of mapping to national development, did not do any major mapping of the country, rather they impoverished the mapping institutions. The institutions were resuscitated later in 2000s when the country returned to democratic government.

Since there was no major mapping the country over the years, the topographic maps covering the entire country have become obsolete and technologically outdated. Maps are dynamic entities because the surface of the earth is dynamic in nature. Maps that were produced during colonial rule or immediately after independence in the 1960s cannot adequately describe the Nigeria of today. Things have changed and things are changing. The hills of those years have become plains, the rivers have changed courses, the rural areas have become urban areas, deforestation and desertification have occurred and the topographic surface of the country has changed. There is therefore a need to update existing topographic maps covering the country.

Digital mapping provides a solution to the problem. Digital mapping utilizes a combination of geo-referenced digital imageries and computer systems to produce digital maps. Digital mapping of the country can be done using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. Advances in technology have made mapping easier and better to carry out, provided government is willing to invest in the sector.

Cost has always been one excuse government gives for not mapping the country. Experts have estimated the cost of acquisition of satellite imageries that cover the entire country as about N10 billion. Since cost of data takes substantial part of any mapping project, it them means that with about N50 billion the entire country can be mapped. This amount is not outrageous. For instance, a 30-Kilometer multi-lane road in Abuja with about five over-head bridges and five pedestrian bridges, cost the nation about N40 billion. Therefore, investing N50 billion to map the entire country for sustainable development cannot be too much.

There is always a way out. The government should make it a priority to invest in mapping. Government can set up an intervention fund managed by the presidency. The fund could be generated from percentages of taxes paid by privately owned companies, royalties and excise. Government need not waste fund setting up a commission. The Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) could be mandated to carry out the mapping. OSGOF could also be saddled with the commercial aspect of maps and map products.

Poor technical literacy has also been identified as a problem. There are mapping experts in Nigeria, though may not be adequate. Mapping of a country like Nigeria is an enormous project that needs many mapping experts both in the office and in the field. This problem can be solved by co-opting graduate surveyors as assistant technical experts both in the office and in the field. If foreign experts are needed, they should be made to train local contents in addition to their expert work.

In conclusion, there can only be sustainable development when and only when adequate, accurate and current maps covering the entire country are available. At present, what the country can boast of are obsolete and technologically outdated maps. If the government is willing, funds can be generated to map the entire country and put Nigeria among countries that are taking giant strides toward sustainable development.

DISCLAIMER: This material is only an attempt to answer an examination question, though written from a background of solid knowledge and practical experience in Surveying and Geoinformatics. It has not gone through peer review. Therefore, all views and opinions expressed therein remain the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent that of any institution.  Feedback on corrections and constructive criticisms are welcome. Thank you.