Governor Ortom affirms 6Billion GIS-Project completion
Governor Samuel Ortom affirms 6Billion GIS-Project completion before the mid of the year, named Benue Geographic Information System, BENGIS Project.
This pledge was made known on Saturday at Markudi Airport, shortly after flagging off the Digital Aerial Photography and Survey component of the project. He also went on to inspect ongoing construction work at the project site at the Benue State Ministry of Lands and Solid Minerals.
To ensure detailed capturing on their system, the Governor explained the need for aerial photography and survey. As it would cover all the Local Government Headquarters in the state and mini urban areas
“And our intention is to also fast track this project and try to qualify it for the World Bank Grant which is estimated at $5million”. We have paid more than half of the money that is required for the project which is a total sum of N6billion and we have paid more than N3billion.
“Our intention is that by April of before the next Democracy Day celebration this project should be commissioned and operational”.
“There will be no reason for the delay in project completion due to the very important attachment the government has on the project, as it includes the benefits of having $5million. So for me, anything that will add more to what we have is appreciated.
“On a second note, once the project is completed, there will be succession in the computerization of the entire landmass of Benue state, thereby leading to the ease of land administration within the state”.
“With this, you can sit in your office and be able to do every other thing; and this issue of duplication of Certificate of Occupancy will be eliminated completely.
There are several advantages that we will derive from this. Above all, revenue generation and collection will become easier for us. So we believe that we should be making billions of Naira every year once this project is completed.
“That is why even with the paucity of funds, we are doing the project because we feel that this is a revenue-yielding program.
“So from what I have seen, I must say that the contractor has done well. And if the Government had been able to fulfill its obligation by giving them their certificate and all the money that was required, I am sure that by now we should be talking about the roofing of the project.
“However, while we are still working with the bank, as the project is being sponsored by a bank, and working with them will enable us to get the remaining fund.
The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry has been notified by me, that within a week we should be able to make available another N500million for the project so that it will continue non-stop. And going by this our target shall be met.”
