We are in Akwa Ibom to learn and replicate, Ondo State Govt

Ondo State Government visited Akwa Ibom, Thursday “to learn and replicate in Ondo State the things that are working in Akwa Ibom”.

The delegation of Ondo State Government were Ondo State commissioner for Infrastructure Lands and Housing, Engr R O Aminu, Director General Bureau of Public procurement, Mr Tolu Fadaunsi, Permanent secretary Land and Housing, Pastor Alex Alake, Permanent secretary Infrastructure, Engr Allen Idowu, and Surveyor General, Surv Abiodun Adigun.

Received at the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources by the Commissioner, Captain Iniobong Ekong, the team toured the Ministry to be educated on AkwaGIS facility, and later taken through thorough presentation on how it works.

AkwaGIS is a modern digital platform developed by the Akwa Ibom State Government and uses contemporary technology to capture all land resources in the state, provide capability to automate the numerous land instruments application processes.
It is a platform where people can apply for Certificate of Occupancy, register Power of Attorneys, Searches, Caveat and Transfer of titles.

During a presentation at the conference hall of the Ministry, the project consultant, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, who said the project has met World Bank’s standard, also explained that “all Land would be captured on the system and their exact location with the owner details to eradicate issues of land theft, people can now conduct searches to determine if their interested land belongs to government, encroaches government or other lands and determine the real owner of such lands” among others.

Individually, the delegation from Ondo expressed confidence on the AkwaGIS project and possibilities it has to offer, adding that the Ondo State Government’s next step will be replication of the project in Ondo.
“I am wowed that even banks can use this platform to verify the address claimed by any customer”, Engr Idowu said.

The presentation was also an opportunity for the new Akwa Ibom Lands and Water Resources Commissioner, Captain Iniobong Ekong to be acquainted with the AkwaGIS project.

Ekong thanked staff of the Ministry for non-resistance of the project and sacrificing “below the bar performance for things to be done right”. He appreciated the work put in by Dr. Ekpenyong to “marry mountains of data and interprete the project to reality”.

He hoped that the relationship with Ondo state government will continue as they have unconditional access to work together for the benefit of the people.
“For Nigeria to develop, we have to exchange technological ideas, move to cultural social and financial relationships to solve our issues” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner inspected the Worship Center and estate sites under the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources.
Shortly after return from inspection, he received the State Surveyor General, Surveyor Mrs Emem Isang (FNIS) and her Directors for briefing on work progress in their unit, as well as their challenges for attention.

At every opportunity, Ekong charged senior staff of the Ministry on dedication to achieve results within his short period in office. “I came to close the books but with tangible results”, he said.