By ImamMalik Abdullahi Kaga
The Borno geographical service Information Service (BOGIS) has been making headlines for the wrong reasons. It is widely believed that the agency, which was established by Prof. Babagana Zullum, the Governor of Borno State, demolished houses. However, this assertion couldn’t be further from the truth. The true aim of BOGIS is to establish an effective land management system that will reduce fraudulent acts in the state and bring about positive transformation. However, today I will shed light on the misconceptions surrounding BOGIS and why it is imperative to educate the public on the real intentions of the agency.
What is BOGIS?
BOGIS is an acronym for Borno geographical service Information Service. It is an initiative spearheaded by Engr. Bababe, the executive secretary of the board in Borno State. The agency replaced the defunct Ministry of Land and Survey. The agency is responsible for mapping out the geographical location of land in Borno State, recording land transactions, and issuing a certificate of occupancy. BOGIS was established due to the increasing rate of fraudulent acts and illegal land sales in the state, which have caused unfairness to genuine landowners.
The Misconception Surrounding BOGIS
There is a widespread belief that BOGIS was established to demolish houses. This claim is baseless. While it is true that BOGIS has demolished some houses built on illegal land, it is important to note that this action was a necessary measure to maintain the integrity of the land and ensure that illegal land sellers are discouraged from defrauding people. BOGIS has also received criticism for its zero-tolerance policy towards structures built on government land. It is important to recognize that the actions of BOGIS are not intended to punish citizens but to promote sustainable and legal land management in the state.
The Importance of BOGIS
The importance of BOGIS cannot be overstated. BOGIS is responsible for issuing a certificate of occupancy, which is a legal document that proves ownership of land. Before the establishment of BOGIS, illegal land sellers would sell lands without legal documentation, leading to cases of multiple land sales. BOGIS has put a stop to this by mapping out the geographic location of all land in the state and issuing a certificate of occupancy for each landowner. The certificate is a legal document recognized by the government that provides an avenue for resolving disputes in case of any conflicts between landowners.
Conclusively, the establishment of BOGIS is undoubtedly a step in the right direction and should be applauded. The agency’s efforts to promote sustainable land management practices are commendable. Citizens must be adequately informed about BOGIS and its true intentions
