Uzodimma Launches Digital Land System, Declares End of Imo’s “Ugly Era” of Land Fraud

BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma yesterday declared an end to what he described as “an ugly era of corruption, land grabbing, and document forgery.”

Uzodimma commissioned the Imo Land Information Service Centre, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to overhaul land administration in the state.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Owerri, Uzodimma said the new system marks a historic shift from decades of fraudulent land dealings and manual record-keeping that deprived citizens of bank loans, hindered business growth, and cost Imo billions in potential revenue.

“Today marks the end of an era defined by corruption and a non-functional land administration system,” the governor said. “Businesses suffered, landowners were stranded, and banks could not verify title documents. We have lost so much as a state.”

The governor explained that after years of consultations and technical development, the state partnered with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and June Aldra to build the Imo Land Information System (ILIS) a fully automated platform that digitizes all land documents and eliminates physical contact in land transactions.

“With your phone or computer, from home or office, you can now confirm the status of any land,” he said. “If the land belongs to you, the system will confirm it. If it was stolen, the system will expose it. You are speaking to technology not humans and whatever it reveals is final.”.

“Banks can now authenticate title documents instantly, paving the way for improved credit access and business expansion”, the governor added.

Earlier, the governor inspected over 100 cartons of obsolete Certificates of Occupancy issued by a previous administration. The defunct documents will be destroyed to symbolize, in his words, “the death of the old order and the birth of a transparent land system.”

He warned individuals using forged or backdated documents to desist, noting that the new platform identifies the head title, or original owner of any land, and exposes fraudulent alterations.

“We know those who abused the land system. This platform will identify you and offload you,” he warned.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Digital Economy, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, hailed Governor Uzodimma for envisioning and delivering a digital transformation that places Imo among leading electronic land administration states such as Lagos and Abuja.

“This project reflects Your Excellency’s commitment to an efficient, technologically driven government,” Dr. Amadi said. “It is a core pillar of the Imo Digital City Limited initiative.”

He said the destruction of outdated land documents signals “a new era of integrity and excellence.”

In a vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the new system as a “generational legacy.”

He assured that the ministry is ready to raise the state’s revenue through professionalism, transparency, and efficient service delivery.

“Imo has entered a new era a new standard and a new identity under your leadership,” he said.

He also commended the Imo State House of Assembly for providing the legal backing that made the digital land system possible.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.