AKWAGIS: Digital Management System for Lands launched in Akwa Ibom State
… As Lands Commissioner, Pastor Umo Eno, commends Governor Udom for Transformational Initiatives
By Tony Udoh
Machinery and policy frameworks have been put in place to aid easy access to land information with the launching of Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information System (AKWAGIS), the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno has said.
Speaking on the innovation, at a Town Hall Media Event held on Friday, 15th October 2021, Pastor Umo Eno explained that AkwaGIS is a modern digital platform deployed by the government that uses technology to store enumerated property information.
According to him, the process uses Geographic Information System (GIS) to digitize the location of properties, their owners, and occupants, to allow the State Government to have a digital inventory of all properties in the State.
In his words, “this state-of-the-art infrastructure is made specifically for managing, registering and securing landed properties in the interest of both property owners and government.”
Pastor Umo Eno who was the Special Guest on the occasion commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for bringing innovations to bear in his completion agenda, saying that the coming on board of a digitalized method to manage properties in the State was a welcome development.
“I celebrate the Government of His Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel for championing the course of digitalizing land and property management in Akwa Ibom State and for thinking through ways of achieving an electronically capturing and storing of land information for easy processing and retrieval. This gives us hope that things will get back and better in Akwa Ibom State with improved access to land information,” Pastor Umo Eno stated.
While emphasizing the importance and benefits of Digital Management System for Lands, the Lands and Water Resources Commissioner noted that “Property enumeration will consolidate government records of your property; prevents theft and impersonation of the property owner; provides information for proper planning by the government; provides property owners with an added layer of security of their property; provides the basis for improving address management in the State, and allows for seamless storage and retrieval of property information.
The Commissioner however urged property owners in the State to comply with the scheme by cooperating with the enumerators when they come to capture data of their properties.
“Let me, therefore, use this townhall media event to implore all residents and houses owners to cooperate with enumerators, as they visit all houses and business structures to capture date. Please be assured the exercise is not an opportunity to put on an unnecessary burden on the people of the state, but an exercise meant for the development of the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman on the occasion, AVM Monday Morgan (retd.) also commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for thinking outside the box in his development initiative toward the launching of AKWAGIS.
He noted that AKWAGIS is a development project that will distinguish Akwa Ibom State in the community of State.
On his part, the consultant, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong assured Akwa Ibom people of his readiness and commitment to deliver on the job.
He appealed to the public to cooperate and assist the enumerators who will commence enumeration next week.
The event had in attendance, local government chairmen, security chiefs, and stakeholders from all walks of life.
