The Lagos State government has deployed a Cessna 406 aircraft to conduct aerial mapping of the state. This initiative is a major component of the Enterprise Geographic Information System upgrade, which aims to provide a digital mapping platform.
At the launch of the exercise at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat explained that the mapping will enable the government to plan more effectively for residents. He noted that the project will help determine the actual number of buildings in Lagos and update the state’s database. The aircraft, registered as ZS‑SSY and based in South Africa, will operate daily for a minimum of four and a half hours over a period of about two months.
Hamzat described the aircraft’s capabilities: “It is equipped with a high‑resolution camera that can capture details as small as a coin while flying at roughly 4,000 ft above sea level. The goal is to capture everything in Lagos State, both land and water, using multiple flight layers. This allows us to map every inch of soil, buildings, allocations, and sizes.” He emphasized that Lagos, like any dynamic city, changes over time, and international standards recommend updating such data every five years.
The deputy governor highlighted the importance of accurate data for planning: “What you cannot measure, you cannot manage. By measuring every inch of Lagos, we can integrate this information with the upcoming census in March, creating a comprehensive dataset for citizen-focused planning.” He reassured residents not to panic when they see the aircraft, noting it will fly at about 4,000 ft above sea level for the benefit of all.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Enterprise Geographic Information System and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, added that the project will map the state’s lands and is part of the broader GIS initiative aimed at solving current challenges. He explained, “We are mapping now, and later we will conduct a survey, which will complete our spatial data infrastructure.”
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