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Surveyors say land owners must not believe the misconception that a survey plan is the same as proof of land title.
They gave the warning during the quarterly Mandatory Continuous Development Programme (MCDP) of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Mr Osaretin Ogbebor, a Surveyor and guest lecturer at the event, said it was unfortunate that there had been serious misconception as to the purpose of the survey plan.
Ogbebor spoke on the topic, “ From Field to the Court Room: Traversing the Surveyors’ Path in the Identification of Land in Nigeria.’’
He said the entire working principle of surveying exercise on the field by the surveyor was to determine the identity, location, size, area, shape and the features of the parcel of the land.
According to him, even some surveyors erroneously believe that a survey plan is a title document.
Ogbebor , who noted that while survey plan is part of the important documents for proof of title of land, he said further evidences would be required by the court in a case of a land dispute.
He said the court had pronounced in several land dispute cases that ‘ the function of a survey plan is only for the purpose of the identification of land and cannot be tendered as a proof of title to land.
Ogbebor advised land owners to always get all necessary proof of title in order to avoid loss of such land in a dispute.
Dr Joseph Fadahunsi, another guest lecturer at the event, appealed to NIS members to remain professional in providing evidences during land or boundary cases in court, saying judges always depend on their evidences in delivering their judgments.
Fadahunsi also appealed to surveyors to always avoid professional negligence which might lead to loss of land by the rightful owners.
He spoke on the topic: “The Role of Surveyor in Boundaries Dispute Resolution in Nigeria.’’
Also speaking , Dr Raphael Oyinloye, a member of NIS, said surveyors must be ready to take their rightful position by upholding the ethical standard of the profession.
Oyinloye said land owners depend on surveyors for accurate and professional advice on all issues relating to land and boundary disputes.
