The director-general of Kaduna Geographic Information Service, Bashir Ibrahim, says it is deploying technology to modernise its activities in line with extant global trends.

He has also disclosed major reforms in the agency aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and service delivery, especially in land administration across the state.

Mr Ibrahim made the revelations while receiving the members of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Television Authority chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Kaduna.

According to him, the digitalisation of KADGIS has moved from 50 per cent to 90 per cent since he assumed office, drastically reducing corruption and improving compensation processes for affected landowners.

“When we came on board, land compensation processes were marred by irregularities. Some individuals meant to receive N200,000 were paid as much as N10,000 due to paperwork manipulation.

“We have since developed and deployed software that captures biometric and financial data of beneficiaries, fingerprints, passport photos, BVN, NIN, and land coordinates to ensure accurate compensation,” he said.

The director-general added that the new system had not only streamlined the agency’s operations but also saved funds for the government.

He said petitions and protests relating to land disputes have drastically reduced due to the timely resolution of over 700 land cases within two years.

Mr Ibrahim also announced the integration of over 40,000 land swap beneficiaries in the Millennium City and other parts of the Kaduna metropolis into the official system.

Mr Ibrahim added that farmers whose lands were encroached upon by companies with large land allocations were also being engaged and compensated appropriately to protect their rights.

The director-general said certificates of occupancy were now being issued within 27 hours.

(NAN)