Lands Commission advancing technology to keep track of State resources

Dec 19, 2018 News

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) will be advancing its technological capabilities to help the commission keep track of available resources available to the State.
GLSC Chairman, Trevor Benn during an end of year press conference held on Monday, noted that the move is in keeping with the Commission‘s mandate under the GLSC and State Lands Act . The Commission is looking to advance its mapping and digital capabilities through an upgraded National Geodetic Network.
This is being done with the help from the United Kingdom (UK)-based company, Ordnance Survey (OS) to build capacity and implement the use of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
The Government of Guyana, in June 2018, signed a $93M contract for consultancy services to establish the CORS Network. Two other CORSNET workshops were held previously for Government surveyors and independent surveyors.
The GNSS is part of a high accuracy network or database, which eliminates the need for on-the-ground markers and referencing points during land surveys.
According to Benn, the satellite technology which is similar to the Global Positioning System (GPS) will be instrumental in helping to keep track oil and other natural resources.
“So we will be able to have our own data on where these resources are located. We won’t be so dependent on the information from outside sources,” the Land Commissioner said.
In 2019, Benn said the CORS Network will be densified to include more stations around the country which will further strengthen the geodetic network and improve surveying and accuracy and efficiency.
He said that the work has commenced on developing a National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
“During 2018, two missions were done and initial assessments were conducted, including the completion. Work has commenced in the development of the Land Parcel database from Region 2, 3 and 7. This involves geo-referencing of the cadastral plans in order to show which areas have been surveyed and, consequently, which areas have been and are vacant.”
“This is an important aspect in the management of all lands in Guyana since ultimately, a completed land information system would enable the generation of accurate and important land related statistics, make data-driven development decisions and generally increase the efficiency in land management.”
According to Benn, in 2019, the Commission will seek to facilitate Guyana’s membership to several key international organizations, including the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH) and The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
The organizations are well positioned to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and provide access to a variety of critical resources and expertise which are important to advancing the work of the Commission in mapping, hydrographic surveying and other critical areas,” Benn said.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News