…Era of land grabbing, double allocation, revenue diversion over
In a landmark effort to modernize land administration in Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah on Monday inaugurated the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS). The governor described the initiative as a major step forward for the state, aimed at eliminating land-related fraud and ensuring efficient land management.
Speaking at the commissioning of the ENGIS office in Enugu, Mbah declared, “This is not just a win for government; it is a win for Ndi Enugu as well because nothing is as important as trusting the integrity of a process. Today marks the end of the era of land grabbing, unauthorized construction, double allocations, and revenue diversion.”
The ENGIS initiative stems from the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service Law, which the governor signed in March 2024. Mbah emphasized that this reform aligns with his administration’s commitment to automating governance processes, particularly in land administration, as part of his campaign promise to enhance the ease of doing business in the state.
ENGIS building
“We had during our campaign mentioned that we were going to invest hugely in the digital sector and make Enugu State number one in terms of Ease of Doing Business,” the governor explained. “Two key indicators of this index – ease of obtaining titles and ease of obtaining construction permits—are at the core of ENGIS. With this system, title applications can now be processed within 48 hours from the comfort of your home, ensuring transparency and efficiency.”
Highlighting the economic implications, Mbah reiterated his administration’s goal to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion. “The value of real estate in our state is rising. With ENGIS, we are ready for business and open for business. This system eliminates the opacity in land transactions and creates an investor-friendly environment,” he stated.
The governor credited his team for their swift execution of the project, noting that ENGIS has digitized land documents dating back to the colonial era. “This is a significant milestone. Our commitment to digital transformation is unwavering, and this achievement underscores our resolve to reposition Enugu as a beacon of economic prosperity,” Mbah added.
The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie, praised the ENGIS project as a game-changer for revenue generation in the state. “This initiative is projected to contribute an estimated N300 billion annually to Enugu’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while eliminating revenue leakages,” Okorie said.
Dr. Cyril Ezeama, the Coordinator of ENGIS, explained that the system is designed to revolutionize geospatial management in Nigeria. “ENGIS enables transparent, accurate, and efficient registration of land titles. It is the first of its kind in the country, allowing land applications and searches to be completed entirely online without physical visits,” he noted.
Other observers also commended the initiative. The Chairman of the Enugu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Venatus Odoh, described ENGIS as “a bold step toward restoring public trust in governance.” Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Enugu State, Surv. E.C. Nnamani, applauded Governor Mbah for prioritizing transparency and efficiency in land administration.
Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, highlighted the importance of the initiative in achieving the state’s broader development goals. “ENGIS reflects the vision of the Mbah administration to align governance with global best practices, creating a transparent and business-friendly environment,” Ugwu remarked.
Traditional leaders and other stakeholders also lauded the governor’s efforts. The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, described the project as “a historic milestone that positions Enugu State as a leader in digital governance in Nigeria.”
The launch of ENGIS reinforces Governor Mbah’s broader development agenda, including his ambitious $30 billion economic growth target. As noted by stakeholders, the initiative not only improves the ease of doing business but also aligns with the administration’s vision of creating a digitally advanced and investment-ready state. GMTNewsng
