The Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Awudu, has called on state governments, especially from the northern zone, to adopt the systematic titling employed by the Nasarawa State government in the administration of their land tenure services as it will boost their revenue generation.
Surv. Awudu, who made the call while on familiarisation visit to the Nasarawa State Geographic Information System (NAGIS) located in Karu Local Government Area recently, said that combining systematic and sporadic titling in land administration was the way to go in the present dispensation of technological advancement.
He described the Nasarawa State project as a laudable venture which would increase the state’s revenue base.
He said the funds generated could in turn be channeled into other sectors in need of development, adding that presently, the money invested by the government had already been surpassed by the management team of NAGIS set up for the purpose.
While commending the state governor, Tanko Al-Makura, for his vision in setting up the technical team to ensure the realization of NAGIS, he said the United Nations encouraged the system of land administration, as it was faster, more effective and less cumbersome than the earlier methods used in land management.
He said, as the national mapping agency of the nation, the office would fully support the technical team of the Nasarawa State government in the quest to give its citizens the dividends of democracy and good governance.
The Nasarawa State Surveyor-General, Yusuf Awuya, stated that NAGIS would enable the government to enjoy technological and economical development at a quicker pace.
He described the project as an empowerment programme, and therefore called on residents of the state to take advantage of the improvement in technology to get their lands titled.
Earlier, the Project Manager, NAGIS, Mr. Rowland Claus explained that as a service agency for the state, the scheme was providing mapping and data for decision making for the government.
He said the system also provided fast and secure land titles for the citizens which in turn led to greater revenue generation for the state.