Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on oil and gas operators to prioritise environmental protection and the preservation of green areas during exploration and production activities.
Speaking at the 4th Annual National Conference of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria, APPSN, in Port Harcourt, the Governor emphasized that industrial activities must align with sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Fubara, spoke through the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Benibo Anabraba, also warned against alleged federal encroachment on state lands and illegal survey practices, even as he reaffirmed the state’s position as Nigeria’s oil and gas investment hub.
“Whatever is done in furtherance of oil exploration, such as acquisition of rights of way and seismic operations, will impact either positively or negatively on the peace and development of the State,” Anabraba said, reading the Governor’s speech.
He raised concerns over land ownership disputes and the need to respect statutory land rights, while urging the adoption of environmentally responsible practices.
“We seek the protection of the environment in planning, by considering green areas, creation of marine protection areas, and protecting and preserving forests during oil exploration surveys,” he said.
“This includes minimizing the physical footprint of seismic operations, employing green technologies, conducting thorough Environmental Impact Assessments, EIAs, and implementing rapid restoration of affected areas.”
The Governor also called for fair compensation to landowners affected by oil operations, highlighting the need for ethical practices in licensing and surveying.
Anabraba described Rivers State as a “hub of oil refining, exploration, and production”, where surveyors play a critical role in mapping and planning oil and gas infrastructure. He stressed that accurate surveys and adherence to environmental standards are crucial to preventing conflicts and sustaining development.
“As a riparian state with vast natural resources, a thriving economy, and a host to industrial activities, the services of surveyors in both public and private sectors have found fertile ground for growth and development planning,” the Governor’s representative added.
The governor, however, used the platform to raise concerns over what he termed threats to land governance and environmental integrity in the state.
“Threat to land ownership and title in Rivers State by the production and issuance of ‘Federal Certificates of Occupancy’ allegedly issued by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and other affiliated Federal MDAs is contrary to Section 1 of the Land Use Act, which vests all land in a state in the Governor as Trustee,” he declared.
“We are open to partnerships and collaborations to create positive impacts in the lives of the people of Rivers State in line with our mantra of ‘Rivers First’,” Anabraba concluded.
Declaring the conference open, President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Surv. Pius Chukwuemeka Eze, described Port Harcourt as “a living classroom” for discussions on the oil and gas sector.
“No oil is found, no pipeline is laid, and no platform is anchored without the surveyor’s input,” Eze said, urging members to embrace emerging technologies and continuous professional development.
In his welcome address, APPSN National Chairman, Surv. Simepiriye Elliot Godwin Kalio, described the theme, “Mapping the Future: The Vital Roles of Surveyors in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” as fitting for Nigeria’s “Treasure Base.”
“The referred complementing roles are vital for the survival of our surveying profession,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration within the profession and across the oil and gas value chain.
The conference brought together surveyors, industry experts, and government officials to deliberate on the sector’s growth, technological innovation, and sustainable practices.
