Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of a new Government Reserved Area (GRA) in the state as part of efforts to decongest Benin City’s urban centre, expand housing opportunities and attract fresh investments.
The approval was announced by the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Associate Professor Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, FNCA, who disclosed that the governor had directed the agency to commence surveying and planning activities for the proposed estate.
According to a press release issued by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Friday, Bello said the new GRA would provide a well-planned residential environment with modern infrastructure, while easing the growing pressure on existing urban facilities in the city centre.
According to him, the proposed estate will accommodate essential infrastructure, including access roads, drainage systems, electricity, water supply, telecommunications and other basic amenities required for sustainable urban development.
He assured that the project would be executed with professionalism, transparency and technical precision, noting that proper physical planning would remain central to its implementation.
The EDOGIS boss explained that the proposed layout would feature clearly defined plot boundaries, road alignments, access routes and designated land uses to guide development and minimise land-related disputes.
He added that secure land titles and dependable cadastral records would help prevent multiple allocations, land grabbing and other fraudulent practices associated with land administration.
Bello further stressed that proper urban planning was necessary to prevent unregulated development, particularly buildings encroaching on roads, drainage channels and other public spaces.
He said the estate would also incorporate green spaces, recreational facilities, sanitation infrastructure, waste management systems and effective stormwater drainage to promote a cleaner and more organised residential environment.
On the economic benefits, Bello said the project was expected to strengthen investor confidence, stimulate property development and create employment opportunities through construction and other related activities.
He noted that the proposed scheme would also explore housing options for different income groups, subject to the approved layout and government policy.
The EDOGIS Managing Director added that transparent land allocation, proper documentation and lawful collection of applicable charges would improve accountability and potentially increase government revenue.
He disclosed that EDOGIS would collaborate with relevant ministries, departments and agencies to undertake geospatial data acquisition, boundary verification, cadastral mapping, layout preparation and the development of reliable digital land records.
The agency would also identify existing legitimate land interests and planning restrictions to minimise potential conflicts during implementation.
Bello assured prospective property owners and investors that the project would comply with existing laws, respect legitimate property rights and meet environmental and statutory approval requirements.
He consequently advised interested individuals and investors to obtain information through official government channels and avoid unauthorised land transactions or payments.
He said further details concerning the location of the proposed GRA, approved layout, allocation procedures, infrastructure provisions and implementation timetable would be made public by the appropriate authorities after the necessary assessments and approvals.
Describing the initiative as an opportunity to advance the administration’s vision of a better-planned and less congested Edo State, Bello reaffirmed EDOGIS’s commitment to supporting the governor’s SHINE Agenda through professional surveying, reliable land records and improved service delivery.
He also called on the media, government institutions, traditional authorities, landowners, investors and residents to cooperate with the government and respect established procedures.
