An expert, Sani Mashi, said building geospatial infrastructure is imperative to achieving the 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

A professor of biogeography at the University of Abuja, Mr Mashi said this on Wednesday at the 46th Conference of the National Cartographic Association (NCA) in Abuja.

The conference, which has its theme `Geospatial Intelligence Mapping for Poverty Alleviation and Security Management`, is being held from September 8 to 12.

Speaking on the theme, the expert noted that the major targets of the SDGs revolved around geospatial data and science, which he described as central to planning, monitoring and measuring progress on the goals.

He said geospatial scientists could track progress on poverty-related SDGs using indicators while identifying geographic patterns of poverty to target interventions more effectively.

He stated, “When you are planning, you need facts that are based on the reality of what you see on the ground; you can’t act superficially. So, as governments are struggling with poverty, one fact remains: you cannot achieve any of the three without making good use of geospatial sciences. This is because geospatial scientists play a very important role in decisions that are specifically tied to location. And that is where geospatial intelligence is coming in. It is a tool that will help you to make a decision. It integrates three things: bringing in the science, the technology and analytics in order to transform the way in which you make decisions.’’

According to him, achieving the SDGs requires developing spatial data infrastructure, evidence-based policy formulation, transparency, accountability, and disaster risk governance.

In poverty alleviation, he said geospatial intelligence could be used to identify spatial patterns of deprivation and inequality and target interventions using geocoded socio-economic data.

He explained that by using satellite data and geographic information systems to monitor soil fertility, crop yields and climate variability, geospatial science supports food security and livelihoods.

Mr Mashi described geospatial intelligence as an indispensable tool for decision support in policy and governance, adding that it is used to map hotspots of insecurity and criminal activity.

He said, “Geospatial intelligence enhances border surveillance and urban safety and supports humanitarian responses in conflict zones.’’

The don explained that cartographers and geomatic engineers help translate the world into visual platforms that guide decision-making, including strategies to tackle poverty.

(NAN)