Attah Ede Makurdi
Governor of River State Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called alternative means to tackle them to tackle the challenges faced by government in land administration in the country.
He described the challenges of land administration as enormous.
He stated this in Makurdi, Benue State capital while commissioning Benue State Geographic Information System project executed by Governor Samuel Ortom, Monday.
Governor Wike lauded his counterpart for emabrking on the project which he noted, will make land administration easier and shore up the internally generated revenue of the State.
“For an administration to carry out this project, shows your commitment, love and interest of Benue State. Land administration has been a crucial issue and with what you have done today, you have been able to limit or reduce the burden of land administration.
“I assure you the revenue you make will enhance the internally generated revenue of the State. You can see a government that is willing to work. A govt that has less than five months to leave is still committed to completing projects that are impactful, a project that will move the State forward.
“For the staff and those who are oportuned to work here, take this project as you property, protect it because with the training you have been given, you have to make the people of Benue State have maximum benefit of the huge investment by the State goveenment on behalf of the people of the State.
“I Am not afraid, am not contemplating it, Ortom means well for the people of Benue State. I want to say that all projects you are doing, you try within your ability, I know of scarce resources and how you have been managing the few resources you have to develop Benue State.
“You are not a friend of the Federal Government and so, it has not been easy for you to assess funds as your friend I know”,Wike said.
Governor Ortom said the project will reduce to the barest minimum challenges associated with land administration, adding that it will serve as guide to government in gathering information to support relevant MDAs, and will be an area of revenue drive as well as help in policy formulation.
“With the commissioning of this historic Project today, we have achieved the International Best Practice in Land Administration in the State. I am optimistic that this Project will attract the World Bank’s Grant of 2.5Million dollars through State Fiscal Transparency,Accountability and Sustainability Programme, SFTAS to be applied for developmental Projects in the State.
“I hereby declare that, all properties both residential and commercial in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo should be certificated within six (6) months or face certain penalties”, Ortom warned sternly.
