Zulum Reiterates Need For Remittance Of Land Charges

Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has emphasized the need for citizens to fulfill their obligations by remitting land-related charges to sustain development projects across the state.

He made the statement at the weekend during the commissioning of projects at the Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) in Maiduguri .

Not long ago, land administration in Borno State was riddled with inefficiencies, delays, and a lack of transparency. Residents faced cumbersome processes, while records were largely outdated or nonexistent. However, in just a few years, the Borno Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has transformed this narrative, emerging as a model of excellence and innovation.

Established in 2019 following governor Zulum’s assent to a transformative bill, BOGIS replaced the defunct Ministry of Land and Survey.

The agency was tasked with modernising land management and administration through the deployment of technology and the adoption of best practices.

Addressing the gathering before commissioning the two projects, comprising the Auditorium and Mini Studio, Governor Zulum lauded the executive secretary of BOGIS, Engr. Adam Bababe, for redefining land administration despite limited resources.

The governor emphasised that all these projects were funded from BOGIS’s modest 5% collection fee, without any direct government allocation.

He further stressed that the sustainability of development projects depends on citizens fulfilling their part of the bargain and urged them to remit ground rents and other charges promptly, warning that relevant laws would be enforced against defaulters.

On revenue, the governor commended the executive secretary for the agency’s impressive revenue generation. However, he noted that Borno State currently charges the lowest fees for land-related services and urged the agency’s board to review these charges where necessary to align with sustainable practices.

To address staffing challenges, Governor Zulum directed the Head of Service to collaborate with BOGIS to redeploy technical staff to enhance operational efficiency.

Earlier, the executive secretary, Engr. Adam Bukar Bababe said the newly built 180-capacity auditorium would facilitate stakeholder meetings, town hall sessions, and staff training, solving the longstanding challenge of expensive venue rentals.

He added that the modern mini studio would enhance public engagement through digital platforms, reducing reliance on costly airtime adding that using platforms such as YouTube, Twitter Spaces among other platforms, BOGIS plans to reach wider audiences, including those in the diaspora, keeping them informed about land-related activities and innovations.

Engr. Bababe also highlighted that the agency has processed over 2000 Certificates of Occupancy and approved more than 2,000 land-related consents in just five years, generating N5 billion in revenue.

The board chairman, Alhaji Zannah Mahdi, expressed concern over the agency’s dwindling manpower, noting that while the defunct ministry had over 500 staff, BOGIS now operates with significantly fewer due to ongoing retirements.

While emphasizing the critical role of manpower in sustaining the agency’s operations, Zannah Mahdi disclosed that 43 employees are set to retire this year and appealed to the governor to address the gap through recruitments.

During the visit, the governor inspected the record office, which has undergone a facelift, and was briefed by the executive secretary.

Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, members of the Executive Council, members of the State Assembly, and other top government officials.