Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of a new Government Reserved Area (GRA) aimed at reducing congestion in the city centre, expanding housing opportunities and attracting investments into the state.
The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Associate Professor Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, disclosed this in Berlin City, noting that the governor had directed the agency to commence surveying and planning activities for the proposed estate.
Bello said the new GRA would ease pressure on the existing city centre by providing a properly planned residential environment supported by modern infrastructure and an efficient land administration system.
According to him, the proposed layout will accommodate essential infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, electricity, water supply, telecommunications and other basic amenities.
He explained that the project would be executed with professionalism, transparency and technical precision, stressing that sustainable urban development would remain central to its implementation.
The EDOGIS managing director added that the proposed layout would clearly define plot boundaries, road alignments, access routes and designated land uses to guide development and minimise land disputes.
He noted that secure land titles and reliable cadastral records would also help prevent multiple allocations, land grabbing and other forms of land racketeering.
Bello emphasised that proper physical planning was necessary to prevent the challenges associated with unregulated urban expansion, particularly buildings encroaching on roads, drainage channels and other public spaces.
He said the estate would also incorporate green spaces, recreational facilities, sanitation and waste management systems, as well as effective stormwater drainage infrastructure.
On the economic benefits, Bello said the project was expected to strengthen investor confidence, stimulate property development and create employment opportunities through construction and related economic activities.
He added that the development would explore housing options for different income groups, subject to the approved scheme and government policy.
According to him, transparent land allocation, proper documentation and the lawful collection of applicable charges would also enhance government revenue and promote accountability in land administration.
Bello further disclosed that EDOGIS would collaborate with relevant ministries, departments and agencies to undertake geospatial data acquisition, boundary verification, cadastral mapping, preparation of the estate layout and development of reliable digital land records.
He said the agency would also identify existing legitimate land interests and planning constraints to minimise potential conflicts during implementation.
The EDOGIS boss assured that the project would comply with relevant laws, respect legitimate property rights, meet environmental requirements and follow established approval procedures.
He urged prospective property owners and investors to obtain verified information through official government channels, warning against unauthorised transactions and payments.
Bello explained that further details concerning the location, approved layout, land allocation process, infrastructure and implementation timetable would be made public by the appropriate authorities after the necessary assessments and approvals.
Describing the initiative as a significant step towards achieving a better-planned and less congested Edo State, he reaffirmed EDOGIS’s commitment to Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda through professional surveying, dependable land records and improved service delivery.
He also called on the media, government agencies, traditional institutions, landowners, investors and members of the public to support the initiative and respect established procedures.
The development was announced in a press release signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, on Friday, October 30, 2026.
