By | Destiny Young
Akwa Ibom State is taking another strategic step towards a smarter, more transparent and investment friendly governance system with the proposed Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information Services Bill.
The bill, sponsored as an Executive Bill, reflects the determination of Governor Umo Eno’s administration to modernise land administration, strengthen geospatial data management and provide a reliable digital mapping framework for development planning across the state.
For years, land administration has remained one of the most sensitive areas of public service delivery. Citizens, investors, developers and government institutions often require accurate land records, clear boundaries, verified titles and dependable spatial data to make informed decisions. Where these systems are slow, fragmented or manually driven, the result is delay, uncertainty and avoidable disputes.
The Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information Services Bill seeks to change that narrative.
When passed into law, the bill will provide a structured legal foundation for a more efficient and technology driven land information system. It will support the collection, processing, storage and use of geospatial data in a manner that improves planning, documentation, transparency and service delivery.
The proposed law is expected to help government agencies, private investors, professionals and citizens access more reliable land related information. It will also support digital mapping, urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental management, property documentation and revenue administration.
This is important for a state that is expanding its development footprint through roads, housing, tourism, agriculture, industrialisation and public infrastructure. Every serious development plan requires accurate data. Every investor needs clarity. Every community deserves proper documentation. Every government requires dependable information to plan better and reduce waste.
By sponsoring the bill as an Executive Bill, Governor Umo Eno is sending a clear message that land administration reform is central to the ARISE Agenda. The initiative aligns with the broader vision of building institutions that are efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of the people.
The bill also has strong economic value. A modern geographic information service can improve ease of doing business by reducing bottlenecks in land verification, title processing and site identification. It can also help attract investment by giving investors greater confidence in the integrity of land records and spatial data.
Beyond investment, the bill can support security, disaster response, environmental protection and public infrastructure management. With accurate digital maps and geospatial intelligence, government can better monitor development patterns, identify encroachments, manage public assets and plan future expansion.
The Akwa Ibom State Geographic Information Services Bill is therefore more than a technical proposal. It is a governance reform bill. It is a development planning bill. It is an investment support bill. It is a transparency bill.
Its passage will place Akwa Ibom among states using technology to solve long standing administrative challenges and prepare for the demands of a digital economy.
As the bill proceeds through legislative consideration, it deserves public attention and institutional support. A modern state cannot depend on outdated land records and scattered mapping systems. Akwa Ibom needs a unified, digital and legally backed geographic information system that supports growth, protects public interest and improves service delivery.
The Executive Bill offers that opportunity.
It is a forward looking proposal that can reshape how Akwa Ibom manages land, plans development and positions itself for sustainable economic expansion.
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Citp’ Destiny Young, FIIM, MCPN, a Political and Digital Communication Expert, serves as the Special Assistant (New Media & Digital Communication) to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, H.E. Gov Umo Umo, PhD
