The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the creation of a new Government Reserved Area (GRA) to de-congest the state capital, improve housing choices and encourage fresh investment into the state.
The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Associate Professor Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, made the approval known, saying the governor has asked the agency to start the survey and planning of the planned estate.
Bello said the new GRA is meant to ease pressure on the existing city center by offering a well-planned residential environment with contemporary infrastructure and sound land administration system.
Bello said the planned layout will provide for critical utilities such as roads, drainage, electricity, water supply and telecommunications.
“The project will be treated with professionalism, transparency and technical precision,” he highlighted, also mentioning that sustainable urban development will be the guideline of the work.
The decision to develop a new GRA comes after the administration commissioned a review to establish the cost of revamping the current GRA, which has been plagued with chronic flooding and crumbling roads.
The survey reportedly pegged the cost of tackling these issues in regions like Etete, Boundary and Ugbor at more than N200 billion, making the building of a new GRA a more feasible choice.
The EDOGIS boss also said the new plan, in addition to infrastructure, would have clear demarcation of plots and land uses to guide development and minimise disagreements.
He said solid titles and dependable cadastral data will help to check repeated allocations, land grabbing and other forms of land racketeering.
Bello said the estate would have green spaces, recreational amenities and adequate stormwater drainage while considering housing alternatives for different income levels.
The project is expected to enhance trust among investors, encourage development of property and create jobs in construction and related industries. Bello reiterated the commitment of EDOGIS to support the SHINE Agenda of the governor through professional surveying and enhanced service delivery, advising prospective investors to acquire verified information through proper channels and avoid unauthorised transactions.
The relevant authorities will announce the location, authorised layout, allocation procedures and implementation timetable once they have completed the necessary assessments and approvals.
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