In a significant step towards reforming land administration in Enugu State, Governor Dr. Peter Mbah on Monday unveiled the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), marking a major achievement for the state’s development.
Mbah, who signed the Enugu State Geographic Information System Service Bill into law in March, emphasized that this initiative was part of his administration’s promise to modernize governance, starting with the simplification and sanitization of land management.
Speaking at the inauguration of the ENGIS office and system in Enugu, Mbah said, “This is not just a victory for the government but also for Ndi Enugu, as it brings integrity and transparency to land transactions. Today, we are putting an end to land grabbing, unauthorized construction, double allocations, and revenue diversion.”
The governor further highlighted that the system would help advance the state’s economy, aiming to increase its GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion over the next four to eight years.
He explained that the ENGIS system would allow title applications to be processed quickly—within 48 hours—creating a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly environment.
Mbah stressed the importance of digital investment to boost ease of doing business in the state.
“With ENGIS, you can apply for titles, conduct land searches, and receive results from the comfort of your home,” he said.
“The system eliminates the opacity in land transactions and is set to attract more investors, contributing to economic growth.”
The governor praised his team for their hard work in digitizing land documents, some of which date back to the colonial era when Enugu administered much of Southern Nigeria, except Lagos.
Barr. Chimaobi Okorie, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, and Dr. Cyril Ezeama, Coordinator of ENGIS, further explained that the system would enhance revenue generation for the state.
Ezeama noted that the project was designed not only to streamline land registration but also to address revenue leakage and potentially contribute up to N300 billion annually to Enugu’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
“This system will allow land applications and searches to be initiated and completed entirely online, making the process seamless and convenient,” Ezeama added.
Governor Mbah’s digital transformation initiative received widespread support, with key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, Igwe Samuel Asadu (Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council), and leaders of professional associations such as the Nigeria Bar Association, Institute of Surveyors, and Institute of Town Planners, praising the project.
They pledged their support for the governor’s development agenda, which they believe will help position Enugu State as a top destination for business and investment.
