At the 54th NIESV conference, EDOGIS showcases developmental strides

The 54th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) for the year 2024 commenced on Monday 15th, April. 

On Day 2, Tuesday April 16th, 2024, the members of NIESV led by the National Publicity Secretary, Toyin Aluko, toured the Edo State Geographical Information Service (EDOGIS) facilities.

EDOGIS, the Edo State Government Agency responsible for land administration, management, registrations, geo-mapping and surveys in the State, welcomed the visitors with open arms. 

The Managing Director of EDOGIS, Mrs. Osaro Grace Aihie, expressed delight in receiving the guests. She also noted that other States of the federation such as Abia State, Cross Rivers, Enugu have previously visited to tour the facilities, while Oyo, Osun, and Delta have promised to visit.

The visitors were taken on a tour of various departments to see how technology has been leveraged to improve the processes and the developmental strides of governor Godwin Obaseki in the sector. 

Mrs. Aihie explained that the Agency has gone digital, and all their processes are done online. She emphasized that this is one of the key takeaways from the visit.

One of the departments that the visitors toured was the mapping section of the Agency. They were shown how the section produces maps of every location requiring their services. 

In this section, they also monitor the number of billboards in Benin to know which ones have advertisements or not, monitor streetlights to determine those not functioning, and use a mobile map to ease their job.

Further, the visitors were shown the Land Use department, where they generate the rate payable for property tax, tenement rate, and other services. 

They also toured the Dispatch and Enumeration Enforcement Unit that ensures that bills generated by the Agency get to the customers. This is in line with the revenue generation drive of the government, and the department has leveraged technology by using the Kobocollect app to ease their job.

The Survey department was also on the tour, in charge of determining the location and size of parcels of land. There was also the Training Room meant to conduct training for newly recruited staff and refresher training for old-hands. Other departments of the Agency that were toured include Cadastra, Land Administration, and Archive units, amongst others.

Mrs. Aihie thanked the team and pledged to do more to attract more visits from other States. She emphasized that the Agency is committed to improving its services and making sure that technology is leveraged to make the processes more efficient.

One of the participants, Mrs Esiorbong Michael told Uptown Press in an interview that, "What I have seen in EDOGIS is a very good form of land administration and I give kudos to the governor of Edo State, governor Godwin Obaseki. I also thank the President of NIESV who happens to be a son of the soil for granting us this opportunityto get to know what is happening in Edo. It is a good feat and we seriously hope that in no distant time other States in Nigeria will join in this vision."

Apart from the facility tour, the Day 2 activities of the 54th Conference also included the Women Estate Surveyors and Valuers' lecture and election, the NEMSA seminar, and the YESV forum. These events provided an opportunity for members to learn from experts in the industry and network with colleagues.

The Women Estate Surveyors and Valuers' lecture and election addressed the challenges women face in the industry and how to overcome them. The NEMSA seminar focused on the importance of valuations in the real estate industry. The YESV forum was a platform for young members to discuss the challenges they face and how to overcome them.

The 54th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of NIESV for the year 2024 has been an enlightening experience for all participants. The facility tour of EdoGIS was a highlight of Day 2, showcasing how technology is being leveraged to improve the land administration and management processes. 

The lectures, seminars, and forums provided an opportunity for members to learn, network, and overcome the challenges in the industry.