…As Ortom orders certification of all landed property within 6 months
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike on Monday commissioned the N6.5bn Benue Geographic Information Service Centre (BENGIS) in Makurdi, Benue State Capital.
Wike performed the ceremony in Makurdi, describing the project as an impactful project that would not only address land administration challenges in the State, but also increase internal revenue generation.
Wike who was the distinguished guest of honour at the event said that world over, land administration has become a crucial issue that must be taken seriously.
He said the initiation, construction and quality finishing of the project was what the G-5 governors of the Peoples of Democratic Party were all about, adding that they were people who have taste and were learning from each other.
Earlier, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom explained that BENGIS which is one of his legacy project would completely eradicate all problems usually associated with land administration in the State.
Ortom further explained that the Service Centre which is one of the components of the N6.5bn contract has met the international best practice in modern land administration, adding that the State is now qualified for the anticipated $2.5 million dollars World Bank grant.
He said the contract which was awarded to GIS Transport Ltd in 2020 was to build, operate and handover within the agreed period.
Ortom further ordered that all landed properties within Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko and Katsina-ala must be recertified within the period of six months or face sanctions.
The State’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr Bernard Unenge said the project was initiated, constructed by the Governor Ortom administration.
Unenge said the Makurdi Service Centre is a major component of the N6.5bn Land digitisation project, and added that other components also completed, are aerial survey and mapping of the entire State with high resolution orthophotos, conversion of analog map plans and files to the digital system, staff training, and procurement of survey.
He said the BENGIS project also include construction of similar, but smaller structures in the ministry’s Zonal offices in Gboko, Otukpo and Adikpo local government areas and explained that this component of the project cannot be immediately carried out as it has been shifted for implementation in the variation phase.
In his remarks, the State Project Manager, and representative of GIS Transport Ltd. Mr Mario Bajouk said the project was designed and built according to contract specifications.