Integrations in Developing Countries of the
world and that of Africa in particular
without a reliable geographic/Resource
Information. Conversely, there will be no
reliable geographic/resource information
without adequate investment in the Technology.
At the International Level, attempt is
partially being made by international
organization, e.g. U.N. towards assisting
developing countries solve these problems
of Technology Development, complemented
by the assistance offered by highly developed
countries e.g. U.S.A., Canada, U.K.
In dealing with the problem of geographic/
resources Information Technological
Development, the following issues needs to
be critically addressed. There are:
1. What is the actual status of geographic/
resource Information Exploration in various
Developing Countries of the world.
At this point it will be expedient to define
the term geographic/Resource Information
Exploration in the context of this paper.
It implies, broadly speaking, Land Surveying,
Coverage of Geodetic Triangulation,
Determination of ground control points,
Aerial and Terrestial photography, photo-
interpretation, compilation of all possible
kinds of maps by photo-grammetric methods
for all kinds of application except military
applications, and Map Reproduction.
2. Can the annual progress accomplished at
the present time in these field be considered
as sufficient and satisfactory for an
efficient technical and Economic Development
of the countries in question.
3. What percentage of the National Revenue
and of the Public Expenditure is presently
spent for geographic/Resource Information
Exploration.
Are the Actual Yearly Expenditure adequate
for an efficient technical and Economic
Development of the Nation in question.
h. If the yearly achievements in this regards
is considered insufficient for a given
country, what has to be done to improve the
Situation?
Department of Photogrammetry, Laval University,
Canada, has been conducting Research since
1966 to offer solutions to the above questions,
The result of that research project for
developing countries shows a very low level
of progress in geographic/Resource Information
Exploration and Technological Development.
122
ACTUAL STATUS OF GEOGRAPHIC/
RESOURCE INFORMATION EXPLORATION
In all photogrammetric Map Compilation
projects, Geodetic Ground Control
Points are very vital. An inventory
of the present coverage of Geodetic
Ground Control Points in Developing
Countries of the world and Africa in
particular shows that about one third
(1/3) of the Land area is covered by
principal arcs, measured approximately
between 100 and 150 kilometres. In
Some countries e.g. Nigeria, these
gaps are filled in with first order
geodetic Triangulation Network.
For Agricultural Engineering and
Resource Development projects, Medium
Scale Maps at a scale of 1.250,000 to
1.50,000 are essential. The production
of such maps requires a more denser
Network of controls than the vertical
and horizontal Network of controls
provided by the principal arcs,
investigation, reveals that a little
less than one third of the Land Area
is covered and densed enough to permit
compilation of maps at Medium Scale
(African Situation).
Large Scale Maps are required for all
Town Planning and development
functions, to compile map at such a
scale, geodetic ground controls points
should be per square kilometres, such
density of controls is not found
anywhere in Developing Countries
except for special purpose applications.
It is evidence from this brief Analysis
that the Extension of geodetic ground
Control Network do not progress at
the rate required for effective
inventory of Natural Resources,
Explorations and Fhotogrammetric Map
Compilation projects. Studies shows
that only small scale mapping
(1/1,000,000) at National and
International Level are on progress
due to the Technical Supports given
by international organization, e.g.
United Nations.
United Nation Cartographic Reports
Shows the following percentage of
coverage at the respective Scales
world wide (emphasis on Africa).
1:250,000 or Larger About 35%
1:100,000 - between 15 = 25%
1: 25,000 - About 5% including
cadastral plan.