There was excitement in the air on Monday as the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) officially took its services to Edo Central Senatorial District of the state with the flag-off of its Edo Central office located at the university town of Ekpoma, the local government headquarters.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that with the official opening of the office, residents can now easily access the services of EDOGIS, which is charged with general land administration in the state, providing such services as registering all land titles and instruments, including the issuance of certificates and recertifications.
The people were particularly excited at the government’s initiative to make the processing and granting Certificates of Occupancy, (CofO) Rights of Occupancy, as well as grants of Consent to land transactions, stress-free as they would not have to travel to Benin for such purposes.
The Edo Central office, located at the Esan West Council Secretariat, along the Benin – Auchi expressway in Ekpoma, is expected to serve residents of the five local government areas of the senatorial district, namely: Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Igueben.
Declaring the office open at a Stakeholders’ Engagement held at the Council Secretariat in Ekpoma, the Managing Director, EDOGIS, Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, assured the residents of timely delivery of their Certificates of Occupancy after fully complying with the necessary requirements.
Dr. Ikpasaja, whose address was delivered by the Project Manager of the Agency, urged the residents in the five local government areas to avail themselves of the services of EDOGIS in the area, adding that it was the state governor’s dream to bring CofO services closer to the grassroots.
Highpoints of the event was the enlightenment of stakeholders on the services of EDOGIS by top officers of the Agency and a group photograph of participants.
The various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, property owners, representatives of communities, top council officials, non-governmental organisations, (NGOs) microfinance institutions, University Staff, Persons With Disabilities (PWD), market women and artisans among others, expressed delight, and commended the state government for the initiative.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement followed the next day with a rally at the Palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, HRH Barr. Anthony Abumere Ehizojie 11 and a road show to various business premises and markets as well as adjoining streets to sensitise residents of the presence and services of EDOGIS in their locality.
The official commissioning of Edo North Senatorial District office in Auchi will follow on August 6 and 7, 2025.