Bengis, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid minerals, Makurdi (2026)

Q: What is the address?

Ministry Of Lands, Survey And Solid Minerals

01/09/2023

The Honourable Commissioner of The Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solod minerals, Hon. Barr. Martin T. Shaagee Esq. resumed duties at the Ministry yesterday and was received by the permanent secretary Tpl. Stephen Adah.
After the initial blessing of his office was conducted round the BENGIS service Centre. After which he interacted with the General Manager of GIS Transport Nig. Ltd, Mr. Peter Richie, the consultants handling the project.
Thereafter, the official handover notes were presented to the Honourable Commissioner by the permanent for his perusal.

We welcome him to Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid minerals.

14/12/2022

ZYMO LAUD GOV. ORTOM OVER COMMISSIONING OF BENGIS PROJECT
.. says the project is an embodiment of modern ideas

Zone B Youth Movement for Ortom/Uba 2023, ZYMO has lauded Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom over the commissioning of Benue Geographic Information Service Centre, BENGIS which is a Major component of of his land digitization project.

According to a statement by the State Chairman, Hon. Terver Jirgba says, the Governor has continued to convince Benue people with his laudable projects as confirmed by his River State counterpart, who was in the State to witness the great event saying, the edifice will help eliminates leakages as well as digital aerial mapping of the entire state amongst other functions.

Hon Jirgba urged Benue people to continue to support the Governor to succeed and also called on the people of Benue North West Senatorial district to send him to the Red Chambers so as to serve them in a national capacity.

BENGIS, a smart edifice which is an embodiment of modern ideas for reforming land administration in ICT, houses the highest standards of digital software for seamless management of land administration such as processing of C of O, systematic and efficient land recertification, regularization and registration of land titles.

Paul Kyungun
Director of Media and Publicity.

14/12/2022

UNVEILING THE BENUE STATE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SERVICE CENTRE, BENGIS

By Shawn Jacob Shom

The present administration under the visionary leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom has continued to initiate policies designed to address contemporary developmental challenges in the state amidst dwindling income. In the Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals sectors of Benue State, the imprints of the purposeful administration of the Governor have helped place Benue State among the states of the federation that have taken the bold steps to introduce digital tools in land administration and operational procedure for efficiency and transparency.

On the 30th September, 2020, the Ortom-led administration performed the historic groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art Benue Geographic Information Service, BENGIS project in Makurdi, the first of its kind in the state. Geospatial Information Technologies, have become innovative tools to provide technical support to physical development, economic growth, improved decision making and policy formulation.

The Geographical Information Service Centre is timely especially with the recent commencement of implementation of the Land Use Designation Order of 1996. This law is an Act of Parliament which empowers State Governments to control lands in designated towns or Local Government Areas aimed at rapidly developing selected towns into urban centres, improving revenue generation at the third tier of government and generally boosting the economy of the local councils, while making the Local Government Areas more accessible for development purposes.

On the 12th December, 2022 history was once again made as Governor Samuel Ortom was joined by his Rivers State counterpart, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike and other personalities in the state and beyond to inaugurate the BENGIS Service Centre at the Benue State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals in Makurdi.

The Management and Staff of the Ministry, under the leadership of Hon Bernard Aondoaver Unenge , keyed into the Governor’s vision and played critical supervisory and technical roles while working closely with the contractor to ensure that the project is successfully completed for the benefit of the state and its people.

The commencement of the deployment of Geographic Information Service Technology in land administration from a temporary facility at the Ministry from September, 2020 to date is already yielding results in the State. Some of these include Digital Aerial Mapping of the state, Identification of potential Solid Minerals Resources sites, Training and equipping of staff with digital skills and knowledge in using ICT for administrative and operational functions of land administration, Systematic and Computerized Recertification, Regularization and Registration, as well as planning and development control, among others.

With the inauguration of the BENGIS Service Centre, the forward-thinking Governor has again opened a new chapter in the history of Benue State, a chapter marking the official phasing out of the analogue system of land administration and introduction of digital tools and system of land administration.

Also worthy of commendation are the modalities put in place for systematic maintenance of the ultra-modern edifice as well as the installed equipment and GIS/ICT platforms. Thanks to the installation of modern equipment and specialized computer systems at the BENGIS Service Centre, the process of data capturing of relevant documents of land owners as well as prospective land owners has significantly improved the timeline of completion of processing of land titles.

Currently, due to the enhanced system of service delivery, it takes just about a month or two to acquire a Certificate of Occupancy, C of O at the ministry duly signed by the Governor. With the historic inauguration of the Benue Geographic Information Service Centre by Governor Samuel Ortom, the good people of Benue State should continue to close ranks and support laudable projects and policies of the present administration in the land sector. It is expected that successive administrations in the State would sustain the enviable legacies that have been established by the present administration in Benue State.

14/12/2022

UPDATE: Benue Qualified for $2.5m World Bank's Grant as Wike Commissions N6.5bn BENGIS Project

By Amos Aar

Governor Nyeson Wike of River State on Monday inaugurated the much talked about Benue Geographic Information Service (BENGIS) project at the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Makurdi, Benue State.

Performing the ceremony, Governor Wike said he has been to Benue State to commission projects not less than four times but the BENGIS project was very important, noting that it has not been easy to execute such a project when a Governor is not a friend of the Federal Government.

"You have been using the few resources you have to develop Benue State and it has not been easy. I know that as your friend. You have not been a friend of the Federal Government so it has not been easy for you to access funds", Wike told Ortom.

He says the BENGIS project executed by Gov Ortom showed his love and interest for the development of Benue State.

The Rivers State Governor asserted that all over the country and in the world, land administration has been a crucial issue but with BENGIS, Ortom would reduce the burden or problem of land administration and boost Internally Generated Revenue of the State.

"I assure you, that the revenue you will make from this will enable the State to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue.

"I'm very much happy with you and that's why I thank God Almighty that our ways crossed each other and we will continue to learn from each other. That's the essence of peer group", Wike said.

He urged staff of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals to take the property as their own and guard it jealously.

In a keynote address, Governor Samuel Ortom issued six months ultimatum to both residential and commercial property owners in Benue State to properly certify it to avoid sanctions.

"I hereby declare that, all properties both residential and commercial in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo should be certificated within six months or face certain penalties."

Governor Ortom said the Land use act Cap L5, Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2007 vests all land in the territory of a State on the Governor of the State to be held in trust and administered for the use and common benefit of all Nigerians in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The powers according to him include the control and management of all land in the Urban areas, designation of Urban areas, granting of statutory rights of occupancy, granting of easements, demanding and revision of rents, power to enter and inspect, power to give consent for mortgage and other transactions, power to revoke rights of occupancy, and power to delegate.

The Governor however noted that he could not exercise those powers or perform the aforementioned functions without the availability of geospatial information and that's why his administration in February, 2020 awarded the contract to GIS Transport Ltd for the creation of BENGIS based on the company's track record of excellent performance both in Nigeria and other countries of the world.

Ortom remarked that already, BENGIS was making positive impact in land administration. He highlighted some of the aspects already achieved in the contract to include; aerial survey and mapping of the entire state with high resolution orthophotos, and deployment of the latest GIS facilities for the comprehensive land digitization initiative.

"With the regular reports I am receiving since the introduction of Geographic Information System in land management, the numerous challenges that were before now associated with land administration in the state have been reduced to the barest minimum.

"In fact, since the commencement of the BENGIS legacy project of my administration, the land digitization initiative has greatly improved Urban Planning, infrastructure development, environmental management and encourage private investment.

"Today, I am impressed that the decision of my administration to invest in this project is already yielding positive results with renewed interest of our people in land matters as well as accelerated processing of Certificates of Occupancy, C of O, a process that can now be accomplished within few weeks".

Ortom also made it known that the Makurdi service centre of BENGIS inaugurated on 12th December, 2022 has been built and equipped to specification inline with international and professional standards and would be on a 24 hour power supply, including an ICT platform integrated through a network system with high speed internet access.

He urged the Ministry of Lands Survey and Solid Minerals where the BENGIS project is domiciled, to maintain the facilities and also ensure that the building itself and the installed equipment are given "round the clock protection".

The Governor charged staff of the Ministry to rather upgrade their skills with the available facilities, stressing that Government would not hesitate to sanction any staff found to sabotaging any of the equipment because the State Government has invested huge resources into the project.

"I want to charge relevant government staff that would be involved in this venture through training, operation of facilities and maintenance to be diligent, focused and take full advantage of the BENGIS facilities to further upgrade their skills which would impact on the quality of their service delivery to the public whose interest we are expected to serve as well as promote more efficiency on the part of the government", Ortom tasked the staff.

Governor Ortom said with BENGIS in place, Benue State is now qualified to access the World Bank’s grant of USD$2.5million through the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS) for developmental projects in the state.

Skyn recalls that the Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Hon. Bernard Unenge, stated during the unveiling of SFTAS in Otukpo on 13th May, 2022, that the Benue State Government was entitled to World Bank grant of $2.5M just like every other state of the federation for social amenities. But there was a precondition that 84,000 to 120,000 urban buildings must be captured in the State before the grant could be accessed.

Earlier in a welcome address, State's Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Hon. Bernard Unenge, explained that "BENGIS is a system of land administration in which ICT is deployed through digital platforms and software for smooth management of land administration such as processing of C of Os, systematic and efficient land recertification, regularization and registration of titles, warehousing of land documents in soft copies and hardcopies, automated and transparent system of revenue generation which eliminates leakages, amongst other functions". According to Unenge, the process of transfer of land ownership has also been streamlined for greater efficiency that has drastically reduced incidences of land disputes.

The Commissioner clarified that the BENGIS project does not only stop at building the edifice, it also includes construction of similar but smaller structures in the ministry's Zonal offices in Gboko, Otukpo and Adikpo.

Other components of the project also completed according to Hon. Unenge include Aerial survey and mapping of the entire state with high resolution orthophotos, conversion of analog map plans and files to the digital system, staff training, and procurement of survey and other technical equipment as well as field vehicles for the ministry.

Unenge revealed that with BENGIS, the processing of Certificate of Occupancy has been reformed such that it takes just a month or two to get a C of O at the Ministry.

The Commissioner pointed out that in the course of executing the BENGIS project which took about two years to be completed, several challenges were encountered such as inflation, the cost of some of the ICT equipment as well as incidence of Covid-19 contributed to "the project not being completed on schedule due to the disruptions caused in the global supply chain as a result of restrictions in the transport industry which delayed importation of some components needed in the project. We had to slightly adjust forward the completion time of this project".

He However stated that while the construction was ongoing, a temporary office was setup to house the modern Geographic Information System facilities and training of staff to manage the facilities, which was also funded from the contract Sum.

In his remarks, the Project Consultant/General Manager of GIS Transport Ltd, Roland Klaus, said a one-stop shop has been established through BENGIS for all land matters with fast, reliable, transparent services for citizens, professionals, organizations and Government.

Klaus described the BENGIS Service Centre as the symbol for a modern, efficient and transparent service culture in Benue State.

14/12/2022

AGBADU COMMENDS GOV ORTOM ON BENGIS PROJECT INAUGURATION

The interim President Benue State University Alumni Comr. Godwin Terhemba Agbadu has commended the Executive Governor of Benue State Dr. Samuel Ortom on the inauguration of Benue Geographic Information Service Centre (BENGIS).

The President gave the commendation today 12th December 2022 while addressing news men at the inauguration ceremony held at Benue State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, in Makurdi.

Comr. Agbadu described the project as a milestone in the history of Benue State stressing that the BENGIS project will further digitalize the land reforms of the State in line with the global best practices.

He appreciated the Governor for the support given to his administration so far even as he reiterated his commitment to use his time in office to execute critical projects before vacating office.

The President called on the entire members of BSU Alumni to remain prayerful to the administration of Governor Samuel Ortom while soliciting for their maximum corporation to enable him succeed.

The President was accompanied to the event by the Board of Trustee Secretary, Comr. Ayoosu James , former Presidents Comr. Stephen Ijoh and Comr. Solomon Atati as well as other Critical Stakeholders of the Alumni

The highlight of the event was the commissioning of the BENGIS project by the Executive Governor of Rivers State Dr. Nyesom Wike.

Chris Nenger
Director, New Media
12/12/2022.

14/12/2022

BENUE YOUTHS FORUM'S APPLAUSE TO ORTOM OVER BENGIS

We specially congratulate Governor Samuel Ortom on the unprecedented construction and inauguration of the Benue Geographical Information System, BENGIS, making Benue one of the six states in the country with such an innovative edifice.

The establishment of that all important legacy project of Governor Ortom clearly shows his positive disposition towards effective land administration in the state.

We all know how street urchins and touts almost hijacked most aspects of land adminstration and management in parts of the state; but with this unique initiative by Governor Ortom wil put all that to rest.

The coming into existence of the BENGIS will also enhance revenue generation and shore up the state's Internally Generated Revenue, IGR in addition to preventing shaddy deals in land acquisition and usage.

That the governor equally directs that all lands in major parts of the state be certified or re-certified too lays credence to the fact that he wants and end to any misdemeanour relating to land acquisition, administration and use.

Governor Ortom has truly surpassed expectations in different areas. That he had constructed and inaugurated many projects before the BENGIS alone is a testament that he is an achiever per excellence who has already fulfilled his promise of leaving Benue state better than he met it in 2015.

After he constructed over 40 health centres, more than one thousand primary schools, remodelled a handful of secondary schools, connected almost one hundred and fifty communities to electricity and linked many communities through massive construction of rural roads, the Governor is not ready to stop until the finishing line.

Also recalled that through the instrumentality and foresight of Governor Ortom, Benue is among the first states to domesticate the Pencom Law to tackle the challenge of payment of pensions and initiate the state health insurance scheme, two legacy projects, which along with the BENGIS have now stood him out as a trail blazer that he has always been.

Governor Ortom's successor may have less work than he (Ortom) had on coming into office in 2015 because the highly-performing Governor has done really marvelous.

While we once again congratulate the government and people of the state on such a giant leap in land administration, we urge the people to embrace the system and enjoy the benefits.

Governor Ortom cannot be commended enough for such a wonderful edifice which started as a dream but has now become a reality and made Benue the envy of many other states.

We once again call on Governor Ortom to maintain the tempo and match on with the task of developing Benue and leaving it as a choiced destination for many, especially as in his philosophy, "better is the end of a thing than the beginning".

Terrence Kuanum,
President,
Benue Youth Forum.

14/12/2022

BNSG GIVES PROPERTY OWNERS 6 MONTHS TO CERTIFY THEM OR FACE SANCTIONS

…As Gov Wike Commissions 6.5bn BENGIS Project.

The Benue State Government has given six months ultimatum to residential and commercial property owners in Benue State to properly certify them or face sanctions.

Governor Ortom handed down this directive in his address, Monday, December 12th, 2022 at the commissioning of the multi billion naira Benue Geographic Information Service, BENGIS land digitization project in Makurdi the state capital.

The project was commissioned by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

In his words, "I call on the good people of Benue State to embrace and key into this project, which does not belong to the State Government alone but is a project designed to positively impact on public interest.

"I hereby declare that, all properties both residential and commercial in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo should be certificated within six months or face certain penalties."

According to Governor Ortom, "The inauguration of this edifice, a component of the Benue Geographic Information Service, BENGIS digitization project marks a milestone in the history of my administration, and could not have come at a better time given the increasing role of land assets in the socio-economic development of our people.

"With the regular reports I am receiving since the introduction of Geographic Information System in land management, the numerous challenges that were associated with land administration in the state have been reduced to the barest minimum."

He pointed out that since the commencement of the BENGIS Project, the land digitization initiative has greatly improved urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental management and encouraged private investment.

The Governor emphasised that, "With the commissioning of this historic project today, we have achieved the international best practice in land administration in the state. I am optimistic that this project will attract the World Bank’s grant of USD$2.5million through the SFTAS programme to be applied for developmental projects in the state."

He said he was impressed that the decision of his administration to invest in this project was already yielding positive results with renewed interest of the people in land matters as well as accelerated processing of Certificates of Occupancy, stating that the process could now be accomplished within a few weeks.

Governor Ortom stated that BENGIS will operate throughout the entire state with a Service Centre in Makurdi, the State capital with additional service points in Gboko, Otukpo and Adikpo

He explained that the terms of the Contract with GIS Transport Ltd required the firm to design, build, operate and transfer management of the project to the State Government at the end of the agreed period, stating that "One aspect of this project that impresses me more is the fact that staff of this Ministry have been adequately trained on the use of the modern GIS/ICT driven land administration."

While urging the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals to maintain the project, Governor Ortom said the Government will not hesitate to take punitive steps against any staff found to compromise any of the equipment bearing in mind that the State Government had invested huge resources in order to complete the project for the benefit of Benue people.

Governor Wike before commissioning the project, noted that land administration has been a crucial issue in the country, but with what Governor Ortom has done, he will be able to limit or reduce the burden of problems of land administration and enhance the internally generated revenue, urging staff to protect the property for the people of the state to derive maximum benefit for the huge investment by the State Government.

According to Governor Wike, "I have been to Benue four times for commissioning of projects and today is a very important project. Land administration has been a big problem. It has not been easy and for your administration to carry out this project shows your commitment, your love and your interest for the development of Benue State.

"You can see a government that is willing to work, a government that has not more than five months to leave is still committed to completing the projects that are very impactful, the projects that will move the state forward. My dear brother, I am very much happy with you," Governor Wike stated."

Governor Wike continued, "I identify with you, and will continue to do till you leave office and represent your people in the Senate. I know when you go to the Senate your voice will be heard, your voice will not be cowed, nobody will tell you Ortom don't talk, you will talk on behalf of Benue people that I know very well..

"I am not afraid, I am not even contemplating if anybody is contesting with you, the person should have a second thought, because Ortom means well for the people of Benue State and there is no need in going to challenge him on going to the senate.

"I am happy and I want to say that all other projects you are doing, try as much as you can to your ability to complete them. I know how it is for scarce resources and the few resources you have to develop Benue State. You are not a friend of the Federal Government and so it has not been easy for you to access funds, I know that as a friend of yours," Wike added.

Earlier in his welcome speech, Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Bernard Unenge explained that the BENGIS project was aimed at efficient land administration, pointing out that the Makurdi Service Centre of BENGIS, which is a major component in land digitization costs the state government 6.5 billion naira.

He said "ICT would be deployed through digital platforms and software for seamless management such as processing of CofOs, systematic and efficient land recertification, regularization and registration of titles, warehousing of land documents in soft and hard copies, automated and transparent system of revenue generation which eliminate leakages among other functions."

"In the course of this project, an additional component on field registration/ data enumeration of residential and commercial structures was introduced to attract a World Bank infrastructural development grant, through "States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS).

According to the Commissioner, the sum of N545m was expended on the programme out of the total BENGIS project which lasted for 24 months.

He explained that project also created an employment opportunity for over 100 youths in the state as well as equipping them with modern skills in data analytics during this period.

Unenge disclosed that the exercise was fully achieved and the state has now qualified for the 2.5 million dollars grant according to latest world bank report.

The Project Consultant, General Manager, GIS Transport Ltd, Roland Klaus pointed out that the BENGIS Service Centre is the symbol for a modern, efficient, transparent, service culture in the state.

He added that "With the BENGIS Service Centre, we establish a one-stop shop for all land matters with fast, reliable, transparent services for citizens, professionals, organizations and Government."

Nathaniel Ikyur
Chief Press Secretary
December 12th, 2022

29/11/2022

As we bid farewell to our GIS Analyst and Consultant Tony Faysal..it was nice working with you

Bengis

01/09/2023

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29/11/2022

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