Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has officially signed an Executive Order establishing the Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS) as an independent agency, separating it from the Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Solid Minerals.
Speaking at Government House, Makurdi, Governor Alia charged BENGIS staff with ensuring accuracy, fairness, and transparency in their work, particularly in the collection of land formation data, residential locations, and revenue sources across the state.
Prior to this decision, BENGIS operated under the Ministry, a structure Governor Alia described as a limiting factor to the agency’s effectiveness. With its new status, BENGIS will now function directly under the Office of the Governor, responsible for maintaining precise records of land ownership, public and private properties, and revenue sources in Benue State.
The Governor emphasized that the independence of BENGIS is aimed at boosting transparency, eliminating corruption, and ensuring greater accountability in land administration and revenue generation.
In response, Professor Daniel Amine, the Director General of BENGIS, expressed appreciation for the Governor’s confidence in the agency. He assured that BENGIS would fulfill its mandate effectively and noted its strategic role beyond economic planning.
“BENGIS will not only improve land data management but also contribute to security operations by identifying criminal hideouts and assisting security agencies in mapping out high-risk areas for better policing,” he stated.
With this new autonomy, BENGIS is expected to play a critical role in modernizing land administration, enhancing state revenue, and supporting security efforts across Benue State.
