From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
The Benue State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals on Thursday disclosed that it has completed data capturing of lands in 10 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state with 13 others still in process.
The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Bernard Unenge disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the progress so far recorded on the Benue Geographic Information Service (BENGIS) Project.
BENGIS is a service agency owned by Benue State Government for computerization and optimization of geospatial business process.
Unenge noted that when completed, it will improve access to land and manage land-based resources for sustainable development, while also strengthening land rights to increase productivity and secure livelihoods, fulfilling a number of key development objectives of the Benue State government.
While expressing satisfaction on the progress of work done so far, the Lands Commissioner posited that the project which is 70 percent completed will be commissioned in October, this year.
Unenge who explained fuether that since the beginning of the project in 2020, the ministry has signed over 3000 Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) while others are being processed, enjoined the general public to approach the ministry for their land papers just as he warned racketeers to steer clear of lands deals in the state.
He added that the state government was already in talks with the federal government to legalize the activities of local miners for proper exploration of solid minerals in the state.