Preparations for the FIG Working Week 2013 - FIG Office
visits Abuja Nigeria
Visits with the local Association NIS, Local Organising Committee,
SURCON and the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation
Abuja, Nigeria, 15-19 October 2012
|
 |
NIS Council and part of Local Organising Committe. In the middle NIS
President Stephen Olubode Adeaga |
FIG Office represented by Office Manager Louise Friis-Hansen and Office
Coordinator Hanne Elster had a very successful trip to Abuja Nigeria for the
preparations of the FIG Working Week 6-10 May 2013. The hospitality,
professionalism and friendliness we met all over Abuja was overwhelming and
encouraging for our further preparations for the Working Week 2013.
Abuja – an interesting capital of Nigeria
Abuja is an interesting city, developed from more or less nothing to the
government city within the last 30 years starting in the 1980’ies. The
Capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja in 1991. Nigerian surveyors have been
deeply involved in the planning of the city. Conference Director Barde
Jatau, who is working in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the
Federation, is one of the developers of the city. Streets are wide and
traffic is floating, and new office buildings are constantly being built.
Not far outside the city centre, Satellite cities have been and are being
built, and here also original villages can be found. Abuja is in steady
development
Technical tours during the conference will therefore be of high interest
since not many places in the world can be said to be build up from scratch
within the last 20-30 years.
Conference Venue and Hotel
As the capital of the Federation, apart from government offices and
businesses, an International Convention Centre was built as well as several
hotels which can accommodate international and national delegates for
conferences. The Conference Hotel chosen for WW2013 is the Nicon Luxury
Hotel, situated right behind the Conference Centre. WW2013 will take place
both at the Conference Centre and the Nicon Luxury Hotel. There is a passage
between the two venues.
Safety
Safety at the FIG Working Week 2013 is high on the agenda. The Local
Organising Committee is doing their utmost to show all participants their
hospitality and the nice Nigerian atmosphere. The country has for years been
shattered by a reputation of insecurity which is a pity for the city of
Abuja and its inhabitants. Already at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport, participants at the Working Week 2013 will be greeted by a
welcoming committee upon arrival, who will guide the participants how to get
to their hotels. International participants are encouraged in advance to
inform the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors about their travel itinerary so
that they are prepared for meeting them at the airport.
Although it is secure to walk around in Abuja, it is recommended to walk
in groups and not late at night. There are taxis all over the city for
convenience. Security in general has highest priority in Abuja having both
police guards and local guards – not because it is necessary, but for
precautions, and all are very eager to secure that Abuja is a welcoming and
safe city.
Accompanying persons
Accompanying persons are very welcome at the FIG Working Week 2013. The
Nigerian Institution of Surveyors hosts a “Surveyor Wife’s Association” and
they are eager to design an interesting programme for accompanying persons
including tours in and around Abuja.
FIG Working Week 2013
The local surveyor Association, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS),
is waiting to welcome both international and national delegates for the FIG
WW 2013. Many preparations for the Working Week have already been
undertaken, and now the more detailed parts of the preparations have
started. Therefore, we had some very good and productive days in Abuja
getting into the details with all the different aspects of the conference.
Many NIS representatives are deeply involved in the planning and play an
active role which is one of the factors to ensure a successful Working Week.
Especially Congress Director Barde Jatau, NIS President Stephen Olubode
Adeaga NIS Vice President for International affairs, Surveyor Amako Gene,
Secretary General Olumide Adewebi, Olajugba Oluropo, Trimble and NIS Admin
Secretary Olatunde O. Adejanyu are working intensely on the Working Week
preparations.
More information about the conference will soon be available at the
Working Week web site: www.fig.net/fig2013
Visit at SURCON and Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation
Apart form the preparations for the FIG Working Week 2013, the visit also
allowed time for a pleasant visit to President Ganiyu A. Agunbiade and
Registrar Ayeni Winston at the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, SURCON. After a
nice talk at SURCON the delegation was invited to the Surveyor General of
the Federation Peter Chigozie Nwilo together with his directors. Both
Surveyor General of the Federation and SURCON as well as other official
bodies of Nigeria follow the progress of the Working Week closely and have
confirmed their extensive support to the conference. Furthermore it is of
importance to them that all delegates feel welcome in Nigeria and Abuja, and
therefore the security issues have been discussed and given first priority
to guarantee an outstanding Working Week.
Louise Friis-Hansen
Abuja is a modern capital city originally planned and built for this
purpose. |
Satelite cities around Abuja
|
Nicon Luxury Hotel |
Meeting with the management of Nicon Luxury Hotel |
Visit together with NIS at the Surveyor Generals office
|
Meeting with the Directors of the Surveyor General. In the front
Barde Jatau, who is also FIG WWW2013 Conference Director |
Vice President
Gene Amako and Secretary General Olumide
Adewebi relaxing between the meetings |
Visiting SURCON |
Preparation meeting with NIS.
Hanne Elster and Louise
Friis-Hansen
with David Oluwamotemi, Vice President Gene Amako
and furthest to the right Conference Director Barde Jatau. |
Houses further outside of Abuja |
Market outside of Abuja |
Market along the main road |
Local arts and craft area |
At a pottery - all pots are made in traditional style |
Market in Abuja |
Market in Abuja |
31 October 2012
|
