Spatial Data Mapping For Nigeria Initiative (SPADAMNI)
Have u ever tried tying locational data to some real important data or statistics on any socio-environmental subject e.g. health, education, crime, market prices etc on our dear country Nigeria? Hmm i guessed right, it was downright frustrating!! The country just seems to be bereft of quality spatially referenced data in this information age. Even where the stuff is available, its a nightmare trying to piece it together.
Takes us back to our total reliance on google and bing maps for simple location data right? Google and Bing with their mostly generalised locations (remember these are hardly geocoded, not to talk of even the assurance that where it is on the map is as good as what you will get on the ground?)Hmm its a corundum always believe me!
How many of you can say first hand which hospitals or clinics are close by in an emergency? or which fire station is the closest? or even which police post? rocket science right?!Makes one want to ask where are the Department of Lands and Surveys or the Office of the Surveyor-general? oh oh they are resurfacing and redrawing age old pre-1965 topographic maps to look like brand new roads?
Spatial Information is a global asset, a national treasure, a historical responsibility
Knowing the three Ws - where, when and what, is the principal basis of human existence. A thorough link between the three gives a symmetrical view of any problem or situation, makes our reactions more informed and our effort more lasting.
Why Spatial? Why not Spatial, to understand the incident or phenomenon without an understanding of the environment is like looking for a black stone in the dark, yes it will just be a lucky guess!
A Good Plan needs adequate information
Successive Nigerian Governments have proposed many plans, great! but based on how much information?Ask me?
Spatial information adds just that much value to decision making and to tackle a challenge effectively, a three dimensional view is always an advantage!!!
Takes us back to our total reliance on google and bing maps for simple location data right? Google and Bing with their mostly generalised locations (remember these are hardly geocoded, not to talk of even the assurance that where it is on the map is as good as what you will get on the ground?)Hmm its a corundum always believe me!
Successive Nigerian Governments have proposed many plans, great! but based on how much information?Ask me?
Spatial information adds just that much value to decision making and to tackle a challenge effectively, a three dimensional view is always an advantage!!!
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