Edo targets Infrastructure with ground rent, property tax


By Elvis Omoregie, Benin

The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has urged landowners and investors to promptly pay ground rent, property tax and other statutory land charges, saying compliance is essential to boosting the state's revenue and funding infrastructure, security and other critical public services.

Managing Director of EDOGIS, Dr. Innocent Bello, made the appeal during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City, where he described land administration revenue as a key pillar for financing the state's development agenda.

He said prompt payment of statutory land charges would enable government to sustain investments in roads, healthcare, security and other public infrastructure while strengthening a transparent, efficient and investor-friendly land administration system.

Bello said the agency is implementing reforms driven by digital technology to curb land fraud, multiple land sales, illegal occupation of government land and revenue leakages.

He disclosed that EDOGIS has processed more than 1,000 of the over 3,500 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) applications inherited from the previous administration and forwarded them to Governor Monday Okpebholo for approval after completing a comprehensive verification exercise.

According to him, the exercise uncovered forged documents, fake survey plans, incomplete applications and multiple claims to the same parcels of land, with more than half of the applications requiring further scrutiny before approval.

Bello explained that the temporary suspension of approvals was necessary to restore integrity to the state's land administration system and ensure that only genuine applicants receive Certificates of Occupancy.

He added that EDOGIS has strengthened its operations through continuous staff training, the deployment of modern technology and a digital cadastral system that helps detect fraudulent transactions, duplicate registrations and attempts to process government-acquired or previously allocated land.

The EDOGIS boss also cautioned residents against dealing with unregistered land agents, accusing many of collecting money from clients, submitting incomplete documentation and blaming government for delays. He further warned against the illegal sale and encroachment on government lands, stressing that unlawful structures would be removed in line with existing laws.

Bello reaffirmed the agency's commitment to reforms anchored on transparency, professionalism and digital innovation to protect property rights, improve investor confidence and build a more credible and sustainable land administration system in Edo State.

Popular posts from this blog

NBM of Africa Raises Alarm Over Child Abductions, Calls for Urgent Action Against Insecurity

Image
By Elvis Omoregie, Benin  The leadership of the NBM of Africa Worldwide has expressed deep concern over the growing wave of child abductions and worsening insecurity across Nigeria, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the nation's future and overall development. In a statement issued on Monday by its President, Dr. Charles Chimezie, the Pan-African organisation condemned the activities of bandits and kidnappers who abduct children and allegedly expose them to exploitation within criminal networks, describing the development as a direct attack on the country's collective future. The organisation's reaction comes amid increasing cases of kidnappings across various parts of the country, including the recent abduction of 45 teachers and students in Oyo State by suspected bandits, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools and vulnerable communities. According to Dr. Chimezie, every child taken away f...
Read more

Conveners Intensify Consultations for Phase Two of Edo Security Initiative

Image
By Elvis Omoregie, Benin The conveners of the recently concluded Security Town Hall Meeting themed “Community Responsibility and Collaborative Action for a Safer Edo State,” Hon. Comr. Inegbenehi Iziegbe Sylvester and Hon. Christian Okojie, have intensified consultations aimed at strengthening security advocacy and community engagement across Edo State. As part of preparations for the rollout of Phase Two of the Security Town Hall initiative, scheduled to hold in Edo Central, the conveners paid a courtesy and consultation visit to His Lordship, CJ Okubowa, to seek collaborative support for the forthcoming engagement. The visit highlighted the growing need for collective responsibility and stronger stakeholder collaboration in addressing security challenges within communities.  Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships among community leaders, institutions, and relevant stakeholders to promote peace, stability, and a safer society. The meeting was described as pr...
Read more

Ologbo Traditional Leadership: Chief Iyase Rejects Purported Installation of Olare-Aja

Image
By Elvis Omoregie  The Okao Nore-Guae overseeing Ologbo, Ehor and Okhuoromi communities in Edo State, Chief Emma Iyase, has warned against what he described as efforts to establish a parallel traditional authority in Ologbo, rejecting the reported installation of Pa Johnson Obubu Itoto as the Olare-Aja of the community. Speaking on the development, Chief Iyase said the installation, reportedly carried out on May 30, 2026, was unknown to Benin customs and traditions and constituted a violation of the recognized traditional authority structure of the Benin Kingdom. According to him, Ologbo remains an integral part of the Benin traditional institution, and matters concerning traditional leadership, chieftaincy titles and community governance must align with the customs, laws and established practices of the kingdom. “Any installation conducted outside the recognised traditional structures and procedures cannot enjoy legitimacy within the community,” he stated. Chief Iyase ...
Read more