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Lagos Assembly holds public hearing on Geographic Information Service Bill

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday held a public hearing for the Geographic Information Service Bill.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said the new bill would harmonise all the geographic information service projects in the state.

The speaker was speaking at the one-day public hearing on the bill at the assemblyโ€™s complex.

NAN reports that the title of the bill is: โ€œThe Lagos Geographic Information Service Bill and other connected purposesโ€.

The speaker explained that the bill was aimed at establishing a computerised central database for all information relating to geospatial matters and related issues in the state.

According to him, the new bill will also cut sharp practices and reduce fraudulent sale of land.

For land, the database will have details of owners including their photographs.

Obasa, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Stephen Ogundipe, said the new bill, when passed, would also help in improving governance and boosting professionalism.

โ€œSection 4 (2) of the bill says the agencyโ€™s responsibilities include introducing, implementing and sustaining best practices for all Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the state.

โ€œAs well as develop and maintain an online platform that will contain all information and statistics on geospatial-related matters.

โ€œIt is targeted at integrating governance with advancements in technology. This is something we hope to always take advantage of, so that our state can continue to be ahead in the area of development,โ€ he said.