Benin City To Be Transmuted into a Smart City, Says Ikpasaja

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Dr. Tony Ikpasaja, disclosed that there are plans to transform Benin City into a smart city by the State government.

Dr. Ikpasaja  who revealed this during an interview with newsmen in Benin, Edo State said there are plans to modernize the ancient city through strategic urban renewal and expansion.

According to Ikpasaja, the initiative seeks to decongest the city centre and create new urban settlements that align with global standards for smart cities.

He emphasized that EdoGIS is actively engaged in configuring the city from its traditional landscape into a modern metropolis.

According to him, “We have new areas we need to develop, expand, and create new cities and estates. Right now, we are working on creating a smart city that can compete with any in the world. This is not rocket science – it is achievable.”

As part of the Smart city project, EdoGIS is initiating a voluntary resettlement programme aimed at property owners in the City centre.

The EdoGIS MD further disclosed that negotiations are underway with residents in areas such as Akpakpava, Mission Road, Sapele Road, and Lagos Road, many of whom have expressed willingness to relocate.

“The strategy is to engage property owners in a transparent negotiation process. Many of the buildings in the city centre have been there for close to a century, with rusted roofs and mud structures. Those who agree to relocate will be compensated accordingly, and we will provide them with alternative accommodation in new developments. Many families, including those in the diaspora, are already showing interest,” he explained.

He reassured the public that the relocation is entirely voluntary and aimed at providing affected residents with a better quality of life.

In response to concerns about infrastructure in the proposed Smart city, Dr. Ikpasaja affirmed that all necessary facilities, including green energy solutions, will be provided.

“In this Smart city, we will have solar energy and other off-grid solutions to ensure a sustainable environment. Some houses in Benin City already operate on solar energy, and we plan to implement this on a larger scale within the smart city,” he added.

Dr. Ikpasaja also responded to allegations regarding difficulties in obtaining Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) from EdoGIS, as well as claims that the ICT system introduced by the previous administration is no longer functional.

He dismissed these claims as baseless, attributing them to individuals who benefited from corrupt practices in the past, noting that, “Some of those making these allegations were beneficiaries of corrupt practices under the previous administration. Now that power has changed hands, they are not happy. Before we came in, consultants were charging exorbitant fees to process land documents, but we have introduced a new, foolproof revenue receipt system to curb corruption”.

Dr. Ikpasaja further disclosed that under the previous system, consultants charged as much as ₦1 million for a C of O, whereas the actual cost is only ₦100,000. He revealed that the State government had been pressured to pay ₦3.7 billion to these consultants but refused, opting instead to develop a more efficient system using local expertise.

“We cannot continue to waste public funds on inflated consultancy fees when we have skilled graduates from the University of Benin and other institutions who can do the job effectively. Those who profited from the old system are now trying to sabotage our efforts,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to transparency, Dr Ikpasaja highlighted ongoing reforms within EdoGIS, including a comprehensive audit of C of Os issued under the previous administration. He noted that individuals who obtained land titles without making proper payments are being contacted and required to regularize their status.

“We have established a call centre to reach out to those who acquired their C of Os illegally. They will have to pay what is due to the government. We are not out to victimize anyone, but we will not allow corrupt practices to continue,” he stressed.

EdoGIS was established to streamline land administration in Edo State, making land acquisition more efficient and transparent. The agency is responsible for registering and granting all land titles, including C of Os, Rights of Occupancy, and customary titles. Additionally, EdoGIS oversees land acquisition and compensation on behalf of the State government.

With the ambitious smart city initiative now in motion, EdoGIS is poised to play a pivotal role in reshaping Benin City’s urban landscape, ensuring a more organised, sustainable, and investor-friendly environment for future generations.