Gombe generates N1.8bn on land administration in 4 years

The Gombe State government has generated about N1.8 billion in revenue in the last four years, through reform of the land administration system in the state.

The Director-General of the Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS), Dr Kabiru Usman Hassan, disclosed this at the weekend in Gombe, during the unveiling of the construction of 550 housing units.

He said the agency has recorded remarkable achievements in the area of securing digital Certificates of Occupancy, digitisation of over 22,000 manual land files, digitization 52 layouts to checkmate distortions, regularisation of about 12,000 customary titles to statutory titles and capturing of over 1500 customary plots into databases among others.

“GOGIS has through the delivery of these services, has been able to generate about N1.8 billion, which contributes greatly to the increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state,” Dr Hassan said.

On the new 550 housing units, the director general said the location, structure and other properties of the layout were modelled to provide a safer, convenient and more enticing environment using internationally recommended standards.

He appreciated the support of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, which saw to the success of the agency and facilitation of its transformation from analogue to digital systems.

Performing the unveiling of the new layout, Governor Yahaya, alongside his Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, said the houses aim to provide affordable houses to people of the state.

Governor Yahaya said when completed, the housing project will provide housing opportunities to hundreds of civil servants and other residents of the state. He assured to continue collaborating with both domestic and international development partners in the provision of sustainable housing and inclusive urban development.

“This layout will be the first of its kind where critical infrastructure such as roads, water, power networks and other vital services will be provided with a goal of creating a habitable environment for Gombe residents while at the same time attracting investors and developers,” Yahaya said.

The governor warned that his administration will not condone any act of sabotage, distortion or encroachment in the new layout, calling on all relevant authorities to ensure compliance to development control regulations in the area.

On his part, Governor El-Rufa’i described the establishment of GOGIS as a step in the right direction, maintaining that no development can be achieved without proper land administration.

He said GOGIS, apart from revenue generation, will contribute to peace and development of the state.