The Plateau State Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Town Planning has reported a remarkable surge in revenue, nearly tripling its earnings in 2024 by generating close to ₦500 million by August. This figure represents a significant increase from the ₦173 million recorded between January and September 2023.
The Honourable Commissioner, Barr. Peter Nyam Gai, shared these details during a press briefing at the NUJ Secretariat in Jos on Thursday.
According to Gai, “This unprecedented increase in revenue is a testament to the reforms we have implemented within the Ministry. By streamlining the process of land title processing and transitioning to an automated GIS platform, we have not only made the process more efficient but also restored public trust in our operations. Where it once took years to issue a certificate of occupancy, we now do it in just two to three months. This has significantly improved our revenue streams.”
Furthermore, Gai highlighted the Ministry’s accomplishment of issuing approximately 2,200 certificates of occupancy within just one year of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration, a stark contrast to the previous government’s output over eight years.
He stated, “This level of efficiency was unheard of before now, and it underscores our commitment to transforming land administration in Plateau State.”
In addition to these achievements, the Commissioner elaborated on the Ministry’s efforts to enhance its infrastructure, which has played a pivotal role in boosting staff productivity and morale.
“When I took office, the Ministry’s infrastructure was in a deplorable state. We prioritized the renovation and remodeling of the town planning block. For the first time in our history, we now have a fully functional boardroom to facilitate our operations. This improvement is crucial in boosting the morale and productivity of our staff.”
Gai also emphasized the Ministry’s focus on encouraging public compliance, especially in land title processing. To this end, the Ministry has introduced a 50% rebate to motivate landowners to adhere to ground rent payments, urging prompt action.
He noted, “One of the key challenges we faced was the delay in processing land titles, often due to applicants failing to pay the necessary fees. We have urged the public to comply with all requirements to avoid incomplete applications and unnecessary delays. This push for compliance has been instrumental in speeding up our operations.”
“I encourage all landowners to pay their ground rent promptly to avoid future penalties and to ensure the sustainability of our operations. This initiative is part of our broader commitment to making land administration in Plateau State more accessible and efficient.”
Moreover, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of improving cadastral mapping to curb land encroachments. He mentioned that the GIS platform allows for thorough checks for potential encroachments before titles are issued, thus safeguarding land ownership and enhancing transaction security across the state.
Looking ahead, Barr. Gai expressed his vision for the future of the Ministry. “Our goal is to elevate this Ministry to a ‘special ministry’ status, making it one of the top revenue-generating agencies in Plateau State, second only to the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service. This vision drives every decision and action we take, and I am confident that with continued dedication and innovation, we will achieve it,” he emphasized.
