By Engr. Adam Bababe (ES BOGIS)
What is Geographic Information System (GIS)? A Geographic Information System (GIS) is one that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. It is a configuration of computer hardware, software and data specifically designed to capture, store, analyze, manipulate, edit, retrieve and display spatially referenced data. Being a computer-based system, GIS is a robust, reliable and versatile technology that can be adopted in managing both spatial and attribute data in text and graphic form thereby making it most suitable for land administration purposes.
The role of Geographic Information System (GIS) in land administration?Land administration essentially entails several processes meant at ensuring proper implementation of rules guiding land tenure system, key among these include: Development of master plan, land use plans; development of detailed site plans; serving as engineering infrastructure as well as other survey information; keeping records of allocation (name of allottees, plot numbers, plot sizes, use and locations); keeping of records of all transaction such as powers of attorney, deeds of assignment, mortgages, sub-leases, releases, devolution orders and so on.
Some of the advantages of computerization of land administration systems include the followings: -
Increasing the speed of processing title and reducing time and cost in the process of obtaining such titles.
Providing public access to information relating to land. Entrenching transparency in land administration practices. Integrating land record information with other services. Improving collection of property taxes. Controlling of double allocation and un-authorized use of land. Simplifying application forms and processes. Reducing the influx of illegal intermediaries.
ESTABLISHMENT OF BOGIS- (FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL COMPUTERIZATION) The bill establishing Borno Geographic Information Service was signed into law on the 29th of November 2019, the service was inaugurated on the 16th of January 2020 replacing the defunct ministry of Land and Survey. By far, the most significant impact of the 21st century is the compliance with information technology in other to align with global best practices, hence the establishment of BOGIS.
Borno Geographic Information Service is the agency vested with the responsibility for the administration and management of land matters in the state including all issues related to title, registrations, searches and such other responsibilities. MISSION & VISION OF BOGIS
To transform land records from the Archival legacy System to Digital System. To implement Digital & Computerized Revenue Generation (DCRG). To identify, define, design, map, analyze and deliver an organized, sharable geospatial-centric information infrastructure of Borno State.
SUCCESSES RECORDED BY BOGIS
BOGIS has recorded several successes since it commenced operations in January 2020 which include:
Digitized Land Titling, Documents Registrations and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) issuance. Improved Revenue Generation. Design and Construction of Alpha Mechanic Village. Estate Developments. SFTAS Project. Design of Maiduguri Ring Road etc.
Some of the key activities executed are discussed in the following slides A. DOCUMENT REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATES ISSUANCE
B. REVENUE GENERATION
KEY SOURCES OF REVENUE IN THE AGENCY: Registration of documents, application and processing fees, preparation of C of O, ground rents, penal rents, consultancy and valuation services, planning and surveying charges. There is a huge increase in revenue being generated by the agency since it was established in 2019.
C. DESIGN OF ALPHA MECHANIC VILLAGE: A magnificent mechanic village was designed and constructed. Clustering of similar trades and business in same location to fast-track urban renewal drive. Plan to expand the initiative by building two more in the year 2022. D. DEVELOPMENT OF ESTATES
Initiative to curb the menace of empty fallowing layouts. Four applications received. One developer approved while remaining 3 are undergoing due diligence. Planning for proposed layouts have been completed.
E. COMPLIANCE WITH SFTAS PROJECT CONDITION: State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability And Sustainability (SFTAS) is a World Bank support and intervention designed to support Borno State and other Nigerian states to implement a Fiscal Sustainability Plan. BOGIS falls under DLI 11.3 of the Project.
Borno State has successfully qualified for the Technical Assistance segment by capturing over 95,000 houses through BOGIS which qualifies the state to be among top five of the 36 states of the Federation. Satellite imageries and technical Support. E. COMPLIANCE WITH SFTAS PROJECT CONDITION
CONCLUSIO: The availability of accurate, trustworthy, and timely information is essential for efficient and effective urban land administration. This information can be ensured by the use of GIS technology to computerize land records. Due to its inherent issues, the manual technique to keeping land records in most land registries in the country can no longer be supported in this era of information revolution. If Nigeria wants to achieve long-term development, it must digitize its land records and create a national land information system or service that will encourage the emergence of organized land markets, provide tenure security, eliminate land conflicts, and boost government revenue generation.
(Being a paper by Engr Adam Bababe Executive Secretary, Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), presented at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Law Week (2022) held at the International conference Centre, Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri, with the theme: "Technology as tool for access to justice during COVID19 and Beyond", attended by the NBA, President, Olumide A. Akpata, Borno’s SSG Usman Jidda Shuwa, Borno’s chief judge, Justice Kashim Zannah, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bar Kaka Shehu Lawan, judges and top legal officers amongst other members of the NBA from across the state).
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