Minister Highlights Importance of Land Surveyor’s Work

Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill,  has underscored the importance of  the work carried out by land surveyors, particularly in the  process of sustainable development, incorporating land utilization.

“Your role is basic to all planning and development activities and covers all facets of the interdependence between people and their surroundings. Your work determines boundaries, and is integral to the planning and construction of buildings, infrastructure, communities, and urban centres,” the Minister noted.

“As such, you have the opportunity to influence and promote the development of sustainable communities, as you are involved in every stage of the planning and development process,” he added.

Mr. Pickersgill  was speaking today (September 30), at a ceremony at the Ministry,  in Kingston, where he presented  Instruments of Commission to four newly commissioned land surveyors.  There are now 90 land surveyors serving in the public and private sectors.

The four  surveyors are:  Dean Bradshaw, David Gordon, Carsten Johnson, and Andre Thomas. They were  appointed by virtue of their success in the Land Surveyors Board final examination, which qualified them to practise.

Commending the appointees, Mr. Pickersgill explained that the surveyors’ roles become “increasingly more important,” as the relation between the utilization of natural resources and economic development, as well as the need to ensure balance between both, “take on even greater significance.”

Meanwhile,   Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sharon Crooks, also commended the surveyors. “I  hope that you will give your best and that, through your course of study, you have gained and shaped your awareness of the need for sustainable development…and will put your skills to use in helping to achieve that goal,” she said.

Chairman of the Land Surveyors Board, Trevor Shaw, underscored the importance of the commissioning.

“The commission is very important in the scheme of national development, for (activities such as) land tenure, administration, and management. The award is the foundation stage of the surveyor’s career (and), in this regard, I am both honoured and delighted to extend heartiest congratulations on the Board’s behalf to the recipients,” he said.

Commendations were also extended by Land Surveyors Association of Jamaica (LSAJ) President, Valentine Crooks.

Responding on behalf of the new appointees,  Mr. Gordon described the occasion as a “momentous” one for themselves, and members of their families who were on hand to witness the proceedings.

“This is a day we have been patiently and eagerly awaiting. It was not an easy journey, but the lessons learnt will serve us well. We will always carry out our  duties in a professional and ethical manner,” he said.