By Yakubu Lawal
Katsina, Jan. 15 — The Katsina State Government has procured world-class surveying equipment, including a multipurpose survey drone and dual-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, to strengthen land administration and geospatial services in the state.
The new equipment, supplied to the Office of the State Surveyor-General, comprises an ultra-model sophisticated survey drone and three sets of dual-frequency GNSS receivers. The drone is capable of large-scale surface mapping with high precision, while the GNSS receivers can accurately determine geographical coordinates and distances across wide areas.
In addition, the state government has installed a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) to serve as a base station, enabling multiple users to work simultaneously from different locations without signal interference.
According to officials, the equipment meets global standards and is designed for speed, accuracy and ease of use. It offers advantages such as aerial imaging, deep surface survey capability, rapid data capture and analysis, and centralized data storage for multiple users without overlap.
The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr. Faisal Umar Kaita, said the procurement was part of Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s commitment to revitalising land administration and modernising surveying operations in the state. He urged surveyors to justify the significant investment by ensuring efficient and professional use of the new facilities, while commending the governor for prioritising land-related reforms.
Also speaking, the State Surveyor-General, Surveyor Saifullahi Umar Masanawa, said surveyors in Katsina had long relied on obsolete equipment, leading to delays and unreliable data. He noted that some of the newly acquired facilities had never before been available in the state.
“With these new tools, Katsina surveyors now have the capacity to carry out world-standard surveying work and compete effectively with their counterparts anywhere,” Masanawa said.
The development is expected to enhance accuracy, speed and reliability in surveying and land management across Katsina State.
Yakubu Lawal is the PRO, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Katsina
