Govt signs multi-million $$$ contract with UK-based surveyors to develop modern geodetic network

Jul 12, 2018 News

The copy of the contract signed between Commissioner Benn and Mr. Peter Hedlund, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey International Limited.

The Government is pumping close to $100M into a project, which seeks to establish and sustainably maintain a modern and accurate national geodetic positioning network.
The United Kingdom (UK) based Ordnance Survey International Services Limited is helping the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, (GLSC) in this regard.
The two entities signed a contract at the Ministry of Presidency Press Room, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown, yesterday.
Respected around the world, Ordnance Survey International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ordnance Survey (OS) – Britain’s mapping agency.
OS has been known for helping other organisations benefit from accurate geographic information (GI) through its products, services and technology.
“In the UK, the government and businesses using OS products has helped in saving tens of millions of pounds,” a statement on the OS website outlined.
The company has been gaining increased international recognition as more countries see the need to be geospatially-ready and fit-for-the-future.
The Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) Network is a multi-purpose cooperative endeavour involving government, academic, and private organizations.
The network is expected to be of benefit to several sectors including surveying, mining, agriculture and construction. It will provide accurate base date to these sectors for use in developing the country’s water and land resources. The UK-based OS will help to set up and train staff to operate from eight selected locations nationwide.
However, this is not Guyana’s first attempt towards developing national geodetic positioning network. Almost eight years ago, the country expended about $500 million to develop a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) Network but the system was never operationalised.
Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission Trevor Benn told a media conference yesterday that much of the equipment acquired for the previous venture has gone into a state of disrepair.
He emphasized the importance of having the CORS Network in operation, as soon as possible. He noted that the signing of the contract is the first step in the direction of getting the project off the ground.
The GLSC Chairman said too that it is regrettable that such a large sum was spent by the previous government to put the infrastructure in place but the system was never used for the purposes intended.
“A lot of projects are failing because of a lack of database and we are happy about this move… We will monitor closely the progress of the project.”
Meanwhile, offering brief remarks, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the project is in keeping with the Government’s green state development strategy.
He said it will help the Commission to fulfill a main aspect of its mandate, which is to conduct surveys of Guyana’s land and water resources so as to develop sustainable land use policies.

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