Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has processed more than 1,000 of the over 3,500 backlog of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) applications inherited from the previous administration and forwarded them to Governor Monday Okpebholo for approval following a comprehensive verification exercise.
The Managing Director of EDOGIS, Dr. Innocent Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City.
He explained that the agency temporarily suspended the approval process to carry out a thorough review of the applications after uncovering widespread irregularities in the records.
According to Bello, the verification exercise uncovered forged documents, fake survey plans, incomplete applications and multiple claims to the same parcels of land, with more than half of the inherited applications found to have serious deficiencies requiring further scrutiny before approval.
He said the exercise was necessary to restore integrity to the state’s land administration system and ensure that only genuine applicants receive Certificates of Occupancy.
Bello reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sanitising land administration by eliminating land fraud, multiple land sales, illegal occupation of government land and revenue leakages through the deployment of modern digital systems.
He said EDOGIS has strengthened its workforce through continuous training, the provision of modern technology and the strategic deployment of personnel based on their professional expertise to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
The managing director noted that the agency’s digital cadastral system has significantly improved its ability to detect fraudulent land transactions, duplicate registrations and attempts to process government-acquired or previously allocated lands.
He also warned members of the public against dealing with unregistered land agents, alleging that many collect money from unsuspecting clients, submit incomplete applications and later blame government for delays in processing.
Bello expressed concern over the increasing encroachment on government lands, accusing some individuals and community leaders of illegally selling public lands, school properties and government reserves.
While noting that government may regularise genuine cases where appropriate, he warned that illegal structures erected on government land would be removed in line with existing laws.
He further urged landowners and investors to pay ground rent, property tax and other statutory land charges promptly, stressing that the revenue generated is critical to funding infrastructure, security and other public services across Edo State.
Bello assured residents that EDOGIS would continue to uphold transparency, professionalism and digital innovation in protecting property rights and building a more efficient, credible and investor-friendly land administration system in the state.
