To revolutionise land administration, Akwa Ibom government intends to establish the Akwa Ibom Geographical Information System (AKWAGiS) as an independent government agency, to be supervised by the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources, Governor Umo Eno announced Wednesday.
Consequently, the government plans to send an Executive Bill on Digitization of Land Administration to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for debate and passage into law.
Speaking during the second day of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council Ministerial Briefing and End-of-Year Review in Uyo, the Governor revealed that AKWAGiS, once launched in 2025, will enable seamless digital issuance and revalidation of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
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This initiative aims to revolutionise land administration, making it more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective.
According to Eno, AKWAGiS will serve as an innovative portal to simplify, digitize, and streamline the processes of acquiring, documenting, and verifying land titles in the state.
“We will send a bill to the House of Assembly to make AkwaGIS a stand-alone agency under the Ministry of Lands. With the portal live, we will transition from the centuries-old manual paperwork to digital systems, making it possible to obtain Certificates of Occupancy online. In 2025, all C-of-Os will be revalidated,” the Governor stated.
During his presentation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, described AKWAGiS as a geographic information management system that organizes and digitizes land administration in Akwa Ibom State.
Ekpenyong stated that aerial mapping of the entire state has already been completed, enhancing not only land administration but also economic planning and security.
He enumerated the benefits of AKWAGiS for both local landowners and the government to include Fraud Prevention, Reduction of land theft, fraud, and encroachment; Provision of detailed information on land location, size, ownership, and potential costs, enabling buyers to transact directly with landowners without multiple intermediaries.
In terms of efficiency, the system will streamline documentation processes and eliminate unnecessary fees.
Ekpenyong explained that AkwaGIS is designed bridge the digital gap in land management by providing accurate and reliable information on land titles. This, he said ensures that people buy land from rightful owners and reduces complications during land transactions,” Dr. Ekpenyong explained.
In a related development, the Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Uduakobong Inam, commended Governor Eno’s strategic implementation of the Arise Agenda, describing it as a blueprint for wealth creation and economic prosperity for Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on The Economic Benefits of a Successful Implementation of the Arise Agenda at the same event, Dr. Inam emphasized that the vision behind the initiative extends beyond the present administration.
“The Arise Agenda is not about Pastor Umo Eno as an individual; it’s about the people, past, present, and future generations,” she stated.
She explained that the five aspirations of the A.R.I.S.E Agenda, agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructural maintenance/advancement, security management, and educational advancement are structured under short-, medium-, and long-term strategies. These have already delivered significant socio-economic impacts, including increased public capital and private sector investment.
Dr. Inam noted that in the last 18 months, strategic investments in infrastructure have created direct and indirect jobs, reduced poverty, and laid the foundation for sustainable growth.
She expressed optimism about the 2025 budget, which she described as “impactful and result-oriented,” given the Governor’s personal involvement in its planning and preparation.
“The future looks bright for Akwa Ibom State, as we continue to leverage the principles of the Arise Agenda to achieve sustainable development and economic prosperity,” Dr. Inam concluded.
