The Ekiti State Government says it will complete the ongoing aerial geographic mapping of the state by December.
The exercise is part of efforts to strengthen land administration and reduce disputes.
The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Lands, Surveys and Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS), Prof. James Olaleye, disclosed this while featuring on Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today, a live radio programme in Ado-Ekiti.
He said the project has now reached about 90 per cent completion.
Olaleye said progress on the project was initially hampered by unusually low cloud cover over hilly terrain in parts of the state, which necessitated the use of a smaller aircraft.
The Special Adviser noted that Ado-Ekiti and all major towns have already been covered under the project.
“The exercise is aimed at providing lasting solutions to land-related disputes through proper documentation and accurate mapping of land across the state,” he said.
“We are optimistic that the entire project will be completed by December,” Olaleye added.
He said geographic mapping was critical to effective land management.
The Special Adviser noted that government could not efficiently plan and monitor land use without a comprehensive database of all lands in the state.
Olaleye explained that the exercise combines aerial survey with the Electronic Geographic Information System (e-GIS) to provide accurate digital maps for planning, infrastructure development and land administration.
According to him, the technology offers high-resolution imagery, rapid data collection, improved spatial planning and reduced survey costs.
The Special Adviser urged landowners to process and register their survey plans with the Office of the Surveyor-General to safeguard their property rights.
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He said approved survey plans legally define property boundaries, authenticate ownership, and confirm whether a parcel of land is free from government acquisition.
Proper documentation, Olaleye added, also helps prevent land fraud and boundary disputes.
The Special Adviser said such documentation is also a prerequisite for obtaining building permits and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).
On land encroachment, Olaleye attributed the problem partly to previous administrations’ failure to pay compensation to affected communities.
He said the current administration now ensures compensation is paid before any development by Government begins on acquired land.
“Non-payment of compensation has often been the excuse for encroachment on government land,” Olaleye said.
“What we do now is to ensure that compensation is paid before any development begins on such land,” he added.
On land allocation, the Special Adviser said beneficiaries of government-allocated plots are expected to commence development within two years or risk forfeiture.
He explained that the policy is designed to discourage land speculation and ensure that government housing estates and other allocated lands are developed within a reasonable period.