Enugu State Launches Innovative Geographic Information System to Transform Land Management and Boost Economic Growth
In a significant initiative aimed at modernizing land administration and management in Enugu State, Governor Dr. Peter Mbah officially launched the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS) on Monday. He characterized this development as a substantial benefit for the people of the southeastern state.
Earlier in March, Governor Mbah had signed the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service Bill into law. This legislation, which his administration proposed and was subsequently approved by the Enugu State House of Assembly, aligns with his promise to automate governance procedures, beginning with the streamlining and improvement of land administration in the state.
During the inauguration of the ENGIS office and system in Enugu, Mbah stated, “This achievement is not just for the government; it is a victory for the people of Enugu. There is no greater asset than the trust in the integrity of our systems. Today signifies the conclusion of the era characterized by land encroachments, illegal constructions, dual land allocations, and revenue mismanagement.”
The governor emphasized that this milestone contributes to his agenda to grow the state’s economy to $30 billion and create a more business-friendly environment. He noted that while ENGIS can process title applications within a few hours, 48 hours is set as a timeframe to accommodate essential control measures within the process.
“We previously stated during our campaign that we would heavily invest in the digital sector and solidify Enugu State’s status as the leader in Ease of Doing Business. Key indicators such as obtaining land titles and construction permits are crucial in this regard,” Mbah remarked.
He explained that the newly launched ENGIS system will allow individuals to initiate and finalize their title applications within 48 hours from the comfort of their homes, as well as conduct searches and receive prompt results. The governor asserted that this move would enhance transparency in land management, thereby ending the era of lack of clarity in land transactions.
“This initiative is expected to encourage investors and bring us closer to our objective of elevating the economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next four to eight years. We are optimistic about this goal due to the rising value of real estate in our state,” he added, stressing the readiness and openness of the state for business following the introduction of ENGIS.
Mbah also extended his gratitude to his team for their hard work in achieving this accomplishment swiftly, including digitizing land documents dating back to the early colonial era when Enugu served as the administrative capital for much of Southern Nigeria, excluding Lagos.
Additionally, the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie, and the Coordinator of ENGIS, Dr. Cyril Ezeama, stated that the ENGIS would enhance the state’s revenue profile while positioning it as a center of excellence for geospatial data management. Ezeama highlighted the system’s capability for transparent, precise, and efficient land title registration and reliable geospatial information management.
“This project is designed to eliminate revenue losses while potentially adding an estimated N300 billion per year to Enugu State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” Ezeama noted. He further explained that ENGIS is a pioneering effort in Nigeria, enabling land applications and searches to be conducted entirely online without requiring physical visits.
The launch received praise from various stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu; and other officials, who expressed their support for Governor Mbah’s digital governance initiatives and developmental agenda.
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