GLSC embarks on satellite mapping trial

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has announced plans to embark on a trial use of the national Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network, which will be ongoing until the ending of 2019.
According to the Commission, the accessibility of this system is important for surveyors, engineers and other professionals in the field to acquire first-hand information. The trial period commenced during the beginning of this month and interested stakeholders can contact the Commission’s headquarters to acquire additional information.
During the trial period, GLSC will monitor the feedbacks received and adjust the system before it is officially rolled out with a stipulated fee. This system is expected to assist with developing sustainable land use policies which will aid in the implementation of the Green State Development Strategy.
The Commission has touted this arrangement as a useful surveying tool but it will also be instrumental in agriculture, mining and construction activities. It will also accomplish Chapter 59:05, Section 4 of the GLSC Act which states that it is mandated “to execute or cause to be executed geodetic, topographic, hydrographic and cadastral surveys in relation to the land and water resources of Guyana”.
In 2018, a $93 million contract was signed between the GLSC and British firm Ordnance Survey International (OSI), to provide consultancy services for the CORS network project.
GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn indicated that the project was expected to be highly complex with a specialised blend of technical work to be undertaken. The company also has a history of working in Guyana and understands the functions of the agency as the national mapping and geospatial agency.
Eight years ago, a CORS network project was initiated to the tune of some half a billion dollars. However, while eight stations were set up across the country and equipment was procured, the project did not follow through.
“Given the mistakes that were made before and the lack of use of the previous network, GLSC expects that this consultancy would provide world-class standards, knowledge, expertise and experience to help us to be able to sustainably manage and maintain the network for the future,” Benn had noted.
Benn had further posited that working along with OSI offered a unique opportunity to understand and implement user requirements on a national scale.
“Unfortunately as a country, we did not keep up with pace of development globally in terms of geospatial work – mapping and surveying. This work is extremely important because of the need for good base data. In our construction industry, for example, a lot of our projects are failing because we do not have good base data. We hope that this work that we’re about to embark on will help us to begin to build the database to help us to get there.”
The objectives of OSI had included full functionality and usability of the existing Network Operations Centre (NOC) and 8-site CORS network, designing associated CORS management processes and train staff to be able to perform all the first and second-line operational activities; and establishing third-line support cover with GNSS equipment and software manufacturer.