The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has called on landowners and investors to settle outstanding ground rent, property taxes and other statutory land charges, framing compliance as essential to sustaining the state’s revenue base and funding infrastructure, security and public services.
Managing Director Innocent Bello made the appeal during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City. He said internally generated revenue from land administration remains a critical pillar of the state’s development agenda, and that timely payments would enable the government to maintain investments in roads, Healthcare, security and other essential services while supporting a more transparent and investor-friendly land system.
Bello said the agency is accelerating reforms to clean up land administration through digital technology aimed at curbing fraud, multiple land sales, illegal occupation of government land and revenue leakages. He disclosed that EDOGIS has processed more than 1,000 of the over 3,500 Certificate of Occupancy applications inherited from the previous administration and forwarded them to Governor Monday Okpebholo for approval following a comprehensive verification exercise.
The review, Bello said, uncovered forged documents, fake survey plans, incomplete applications and multiple claims to the same parcels of land. More than half of the inherited applications were found to have significant deficiencies requiring further scrutiny before approval. The agency temporarily suspended approvals to restore integrity to the system and ensure only genuine applicants receive certificates.
EDOGIS has strengthened its institutional capacity through continuous staff training, adoption of modern technology and deployment of personnel based on professional competence. Bello said the agency’s digital cadastral system has significantly improved its ability to detect fraudulent transactions, duplicate registrations and attempts to process government-acquired or previously allocated lands.
He also warned residents against engaging unregistered land agents, alleging that many collect fees from unsuspecting clients, submit incomplete documentation and then blame the government for processing delays. Bello expressed concern over increasing encroachment on government lands, accusing some individuals and community leaders of illegally selling public lands, school properties and government reserves. While genuine cases may be regularised where appropriate, he warned that illegal structures on government land would be removed in accordance with existing laws.
EDOGIS said it will continue to drive reforms anchored on transparency, professionalism and digital innovation to protect property rights, enhance investor confidence and build a more efficient, credible and sustainable land administration system in Edo State.
