| The analogue system of generating and managing of spatial data often led the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning into numerous problems such as Land encroachment, multiple allocations, unattended applications, time consumption, It was also cumbersome in managing and processing document which led to inefficient revenue generation by the Government. |
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Athanasius Nanle Dashen
Commissioner, Lands, Survey & Town Planning, Jos |
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| The Geographic Information System (G.I.S) and Land Information System (L.I.S) technology have been found to be indispensable for effective and sustainable spatial planning and effective Land management. |
| The exact origin of Geographic Information System in Plateau State is quite uncertain. In the 1930s and 1940s, Surveyed output (Maps and Charts) were produced through the manual method, using a common reference system, dimensionally stable transparent base materials such as the drafting film (Polyester, astralon etc). The map layers were usually of the same physical dimension, scale, projection and reference system. The ability to separate the map into various map layers of specific themes paved the way to manual overlaying. Based on the observed relationships on the various layers assembled together, a quantitative evaluation of the land management were made. |
| The advent of computer technology revolutionized the way data are collected, stored, processed and produced. As far back as 1991, it became necessary for the automation of the manual overlaying technique and record keeping (Land administration) in the Ministry to be computerized for the purpose of improving on the land administration processes on the Plateau State. |
| In 2005, there was an attempt to understudy some G.I.S formations in Nigeria with the aim of developing same in the State. This could not yield any positive result, until the emergence of a purposeful leadership of Governor Da David Jonah Jang in May 2007, when a definite action commence which culminated in the award of contract for the Design, installation and implementation of Plateau Geographic information System (PLAGIS) with the contract being awarded to Sivan Design D. S. Limited, in April, 2008. |
| The management of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, is made up of the Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Arch Joseph Yilji Gomwalk, The Permanent Secretary Mr. James Davou Dalyop, The out gone Surveyor General of Plateau State, Surveyor C. D. Tongkam, Mr. S. T. Killi – Director of Town Planning, Mr. Sati Bawun – Director of Land, Mrs. Victoria D. Dadu – Director of Finance and Supply, and most importantly Mr. V. T. Lar – Director of Administration, who have not relent on their efforts for the project to succeed. |