Globally, the introduction of Geographic Information System into land administration has yielded positive results in countries that have adopted the system. Governments and organizations everywhere have developed powerful, innovative approaches for employing geographic information. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), a government ministry in Singapore, tasked with city planning, employs geospatial tools extensively to guide land use and historical conservation efforts. Since1995 the URA has relied on GIS platforms to collect accurate information about land and buildings, striking a balance among the needs of residents. This spatial data enables decision-making about the placement of home, businesses, recreational areas, utilities and transportation.
Plateau State, Nigeria, has shown efforts over the years, to transform the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning (MLSTP) improvident modern services in land administration. According to the analysis is the revised Plateau State Business Agenda, 70% of the respondents indicated that there is a slight improvement in land administration in Plateau State from 2016 till date. This affirms the progressive measures the government is implementation
Prior to 2016, however, there were so many unapproved procedural hurdles in play which added extra layers of complexities to land ownership. Such hurdles included inability to efficiency conduct the typical land property procedures in the Ministry of Lands office, long period of time and high cost to secure a land transaction and delay in the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy(C of O)
In its effort in curbing these issues, the Plateau State Government first initiated the Plateau Geographic Information System (PLAGIS) in 2013 and was upgraded in 2015 after the government realized the chaotic state of land administration in the state. The Plateau government invested in the whole process to enhance institutional framework and provide a streamlined solution to the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning
The Plateau Geographic Information System (PLAGIS) involves the acquisition of orthophoto covering the entire state (27,332 square kilometers), features mapping and LiDAR covering the urban areas (4053 square kilometers), installation of AUMENTUM land registry and cadastre software and hardware including personnel training and business and analyses. The system automates and manages land records, creates and maintains integrated and accurate geographic and survey data. The system, in addition, includes an online portal through which customers can apply, search and transact all land related businesses under the Ministry from the comfort of their homes and offices without physical presence in any of the land offices, thereby reducing foot traffic by as much as 30%.
Adding to the upgrade of the PLAGIS, the Plateau State Government, as a result of the recommendations in the Plateau State first Business Agenda in 2016 reduced the cost of acquisition process fee by 50% and the timeline was shortened to three – six months
Despite all these intervention by the government, it is obvious that improving land registration is one part of the solution to facilitate land ownership transactions, there is still need to further sensitize the public to take maximum advantages of these provisions particularly the PLAGIS.
In conclusion, it is evident that the changes in reducing the duration of time to issue land property C of O and other land administration procedures creates a better business environment in Plateau and Geographic Information System has increased transparency in administration which has reduced the corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks at the government level.
It is important therefore to encourage the public especially those in the private sector to utilize maximally the provision in the Plateau State Geographic Information System.