The Edo Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS) Agency has disclosed plans to kickstart the deployment of its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data in resolving inter-community boundary disputes.
The Managing Director, EdoGIS, Arch. Francis Evbuomwan disclosed this during a tour of the agency’s office by a delegation of the World Bank led by Senior Social Development Specialist, West Africa Social Development, World Bank Group, Ms. Edda Ivan-Smith.
He said the agency’s databank would be deployed for a pilot scheme in addressing community percolation, to put an end to reoccurring inter-community conflicts over land sale and boundary disputes.
According to him, “EdoGIS plans to engage in systematic titling to help the agency register every piece of property in the state, as it would enable agriculturists, industrialists and residents know their respective land sizes.”
Ms. Ivan-Smith, on her part, said the team was on a mission to collect relevant geographic information data on the state, adding that they were impressed with the organization and seamless operations of EdoGIS, as it relates to documentation of lands, management of geo-mapping as well as surveys.
“We are impressed by EDOGIS and think the agency is a very well organised and managed. The World Bank is very keen to support the state government to ensure local communities, small and medium businesses, including farmers are able to benefit from private sector development in terms of shared benefits, and perhaps in preferential treatment in terms of employment opportunities,” she said.
Ms. Ivan-Smith added that the Bank is already working with Edo State on an economic transformation project, which will soon come on stream.
