Professional Certifications and Permits for Surveying Practice

Professional certifications for surveyors and permits for survey practice are paramount in ensuring credibility, safety, accuracy, and legal compliance in survey project execution.

It also helps in maintaining industry standards and fostering public trust .

Some of the certifications that validate the surveyors’ expertise and competency level in executing the task at hand precisely and safely include;

1. Surveyors Registration and company enlistment with the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON)

2. The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)/ International Hydrographic Organization(IHO)/International Cartographic Association(ICA) Category A and Category B Hydrographic surveying certification

3. Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET)

4. Swimming certification

5. Fitness to work certificate

6. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Certificate for drone pilots

The importance of having the relevant permits before executing a survey project cannot be overemphasized. They help ensure that all survey activities adhere to regulatory guidelines, providing a structured framework for project execution, mitigating risks & safeguarding personnel, assets, environment, and equipment. Some of these permits include:

1. Application for SURCON Beacon Numbers: It is important that every registered surveyor applies for and receives the SURCON-issued unique beacon numbers before the start of every project.

2. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Oil and Gas Industry Survey Service Permit: This permit is important for survey companies who wish to provide survey services to the Oil and Gas Industry.

3. NUPRC Permit for Offshore Survey Vessel: It is also important to receive a permit to survey from the commission for the vessel before commencing the survey within Nigerian territorial waters.

4. Certificate of Authority to Survey Nigeria Waters: This is granted by the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office before the execution of offshore survey projects. Copies of the final survey charts and bathymetric data are to be shared with the NNHO at the end of the survey.

5. Community Stakeholders Permit: It is important to engage members of communities where survey activities will take place and get their permission before the start of work. This is to prevent harm to personnel and equipment ensuring safe project execution.

6. Permit for Aerial Aviation Services (PAAS): This is issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). It is important to have this permit for all aerial survey projects

Certifications and permits uphold surveying practices’ safety, integrity, and quality.