The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service, EDOGIS, Dr. Ehiaguina Bello, has identified fake, incomplete and irregular documents presented by applicants as major reasons for delays in the processing and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy in the state.

Dr. Bello said although the agency targets 30 days for the processing of land documents and acquisition of a Certificate of Occupancy, applications are sometimes delayed when submitted documents fail the agency’s verification process.

He cited forged survey plans, fake tax clearance certificates and irregular legacy land records among the issues encountered by the agency, adding that its forensic document verification process had also uncovered forged Edo State Treasury receipts.

The EDOGIS boss disclosed this while presenting the agency’s activities at the monthly press briefing of the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin City.

According to him, the volume and historical condition of land records also constitute a major challenge, noting that more than 30,000 legacy land files have so far been digitised as part of ongoing efforts to modernise land administration in the state.

Dr. Bello said some of the records contain incomplete documentation and other irregularities which must be resolved before legitimate land titles can be processed.

He explained that EDOGIS is responsible for the processing and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and other land titles, registration of land transactions, digitisation and preservation of land records, cadastral surveying and mapping, land searches and provision of property information.

Other responsibilities, he said, include spatial data management and geospatial analysis, support for physical planning and investment, identification and protection of government land, collaboration with professional bodies, communities and government agencies, as well as the collection of land-use charges, including ground rent, property tax and tenement rent.

On the importance of the Certificate of Occupancy, Dr. Bello said many copies had recently been signed by the Governor, while more applications were still being processed.

He said a C of O provides citizens with formal documentation of their interest in land, strengthens their ability to protect their property rights and gives investors and financial institutions greater confidence in legitimate property transactions.

The EDOGIS Managing Director therefore urged property owners across the state to regularise and document their land promptly rather than waiting until they need to sell, develop or use the property as collateral.

He said proper documentation would also help in the fight against land grabbing and fraudulent land dealings.

Dr. Bello reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to speed, transparency and accountability in land administration, stressing that citizens should not be subjected to unnecessary delays, repeated visits or dependence on intermediaries to access legitimate services.

He advised members of the public to deal directly with EDOGIS and warned against middlemen, land racketeers and reliance on community-issued documents, stressing that secure title documents can only be issued through the appropriate government land administration process.

He further encouraged applicants experiencing unusual delays or genuine complaints to report through official EDOGIS channels for investigation.

Dr. Bello also said the Edo State Government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, had continued to emphasise digital governance, adding that EDOGIS was deploying modern geospatial technology, accurate land information and more efficient administrative processes to support the administration’s vision.

He said the agency was building on the state’s earlier digitisation of legacy land records to improve land administration and provide greater certainty for property owners, investors and other stakeholders.