Nasarawa: where you get Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in 30 days- NAGIS

Nasarawa:  where you get Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in 30 days- NAGIS

Getting a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in most Nigerian states has always been a major challenge, but in Nasarawa state, North-Central Nigeria,  Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura makes its available within 30 days.

Martha Dada, Stakeholder Relations officer of Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS) tells me.

Presentation of orthrophoto of Karu Palace to the Esu Karu by Ibrahim Jibril, NAGIS Project Manager and Peter Ritchie, Senior Consultant.

What is the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS)?

NAGIS is a Nasarawa government agency created by His Excellency Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura to give support to the development vision of the Governor and to enable Nasarawa government officials through comprehensive training programmes in realizing the development aspirations of the citizens of Nasarawa state. It is one of the three components of the Nasarawa Development Platform (NDP) Project. The other equally two important components are Aerial Photos & Mapping, and Urban Planning & Urban Renewal.

NAGIS working with the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development (MLUD)

Recognizing that secure land tenure is the bedrock of successful socio-economic policies, the Governor has stated that every household, every business and every farm in Nasarawa should hold a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O). NAGIS will make this vision a reality.

NAGIS provides the technical platforms that enable the digitization of all land records, and the automation and optimization of the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development (MLUD) land administration processes, procedures, services and products. NAGIS customer service will result in faster transaction times, enabling land owners to efficiently secure their land tenure and to register all land transactions. NAGIS aims to process C-of-O for final confirmation and signature by the Governor within 30 days from final survey.

NAGIS Aerial Photography and Maps

NAGIS has already photographed the entire state using a purpose built aircraft and photogrammetric camera. All the urban centres have been captured on high resolution 10cm images, while all other rural areas are available in 25cm images. These 'Ortho-photo' images are used to confirm survey coordinates, land use and development control.

These images are used to develop and produce accurate standard maps that can be applied for multiple purposes including cadastral, commercial development planning, transport, agriculture and forestry, and environmental protection. These maps provide a valuable resource that will support urban planning and renewal and rural development.

NAGIS will develop and produce standard maps as a service to government MDAs and also direct to the public.

Esu Karu pledges to partner NAGIS

Esu Karu making his point to David Attah, Karu Area Officer, Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, with Ibrahim Jibril, NAGIS Project Manager and Peter Ritchie, Senior Consultant looking on.

 The Esu Karu, in  Nasarawa State, Pham. Luka Panya Baba  has express his preparedness to partner the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS), in achieving its objectives.

Esu Karu speaking when NAGIS Project Manager Ibrahim Usman Jibril, paid  an official courtesy visit  to the traditional ruler, assured NAGIS of his full support and his belief that NAGIS will make a positive impact on the people of Nasarawa and in the socio-economic development of Nasarawa state

A statement signed by NAGIS Stakeholder Relations officer, Martha Dada said Jibril was accompanied by Peter Ritchie, Senior Consultant and David Dole Attah, Karu Area Officer, Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.

The statement quoted Jubril to have informed the traditional ruler on the progress made so far in the implementation of the project, assuring the Esu Karu that the NAGIS infrastructure and technical systems are now in place, and NAGIS staff are ready to serve the state government and the public.

He said NAGIS is now able to generate Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) within 30 days from the final survey.

Jibril also noted that the entire state has already been photographed using a purpose built aircraft and photogrammetric camera, the first state in Nigeria with access to such high quality images.

He presented the Esu Karu with an orthophoto of the Palace of the Esu Karu, saying such images are used by NAGIS to inform survey, development control and planning.

He said NAGIS plans further stakeholder outreach meetings across Nasarawa that will include town hall meetings in Akwanga and Lafia.

He said NAGIS visits  to the Esu Karu is to seek advice and his support, including ensuring proper attendance of the upcoming town hall meetings scheduled to take place in Karu on Saturday, 23 November 2013.