The Plateau state government says it plans to empower residents in 2022 by turning land to capital, through the process of issuing titles.

According to Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Land, Survey and Town Planning, among other projects outlined for the year, the administration intends to build on the successes of the previous year.

Speaking on Saturday in Jos, Mr Dati said, “We’ve gone very far in ensuring that we automate our operations here in the Ministry of Land. By making it faster and easier for people to get land titlation, we are also trying to raise revenue for government.”

He said there was the need to sensitise the people on land titlelation processes. “We are ensuring that we mobilise and conscientise people on the need to have land titlelation because until you have title on your land it may be open to abuse.

“It may be open to land-grabbers and we are happy that with the passage of the anti land-grabbing law, it has further empowered the people to be able to have land titles.

“Furthermore we are also executing the World Bank project that has to do with property enumeration.

“Our staff are going round the city to ensure we conduct the enumeration of property, we also want to use this opportunity to alert property owners in Jos and surrounding on this development.

“This is to tell them that you may begin to have people come around to take information concerning your property, it’s for your safety and the security as well,” he said.

On the automation of Plateau Land Administration and Geographically Information System (PLAGIS), Mr Dati said the ministry was presently using both manual and automated process, but was “in the process of ensuring full automation.

“Gradually we are ensuring that we are improving in the transparency of the system; that is why we do not involve in any form of financial transaction.

“All payments are done directly to government designated accounts at the Plateau Internally Revenue Service,” the commissioner added.

(NAN)