AGIS To Digitalize FCTA Secretariats, Departments And Agencies
By: Abubakar Dembo & Miriam Isioma
In order to fulfil its mandate of generating geospatial data for the smooth running of critical service-providing departments and Agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the management of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) has concluded arrangements to digitalize most of the service providing Departments and Agencies of the Administration towards improving the efficiency of service delivery to the FCT residents.
The digitalization of the sister departments of the FCTA is to ensure that AGIS, as an Agency of the FCT Administration, is not limited to geographic information and data management, but is also responsible for generating spatial data and making it available to other Departments to enhance the performance of their various functions.
Director, Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Tukur Dan Asabe, disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting with sister departments and Agencies of the FCT Administration.
Dan Asabe said the essence of the meeting was to foster inter-agency collaboration towards the delivery of the mandate of the Agencies, in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration, which is being vigorously pursued in the FCT by the Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The AGIS Director said the implementation of a digital solution for the Departments would eliminate human factors and reduce time wasted, thereby aiding efficiency in service delivery.
He commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the infrastructural transformation that has taken place in the FCT since he assumed office; noting that the Minister’s commitment to improve revenue generation for the FCTA to provide critical social facilities for the teeming population in the FCT needs to be supported.
He also emphasized the importance of regular interface with the departments and Agencies; adding that the inter-agency collaboration with AGIS is central to achieving the mandate of the agencies with AGIS playing a pivotal role in maintaining geospatial records for all FCTA departments.
In a paper titled :Benefits of Spatial Information and the Strategic Role of AGIS in Enhancing Departmental Synergy, presented by Head, Geographic Information Systems, Wuli Lukman, highlight how important geospatial data can serve as a critical tool for Urban Planning, Environmental management, disaster response and infrastructure resource allocation.
Some of the Secretariats, Departments and Agencies that attended the meeting convened by AGIS include, the Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, the Satellite Towns Development Department, the Water Board, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), and the Transportation Secretariat.
Others were the Education Secretariat, FCT Fire Service, Department of Security Services, Department of Solid Minerals, Area Council Services Secretariat as well as Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
The representatives of the SDAs that attended the stakeholders meeting expressed satisfaction with the initiative by the management of AGIS and commended the Director, Tukur Dan Asabe, for the development and acknowledged that the idea will surely fill the long-standing gap that has existed in the inter-agency cooperation.
Stakeholders at the meeting, all agreed that having access to spatial data could revolutionize their operations, especially in the areas of infrastructural development, public health, security and Land Administration respectively.
It was also suggested that the meeting be expanded to include Departments of Survey and Mapping, Urban and Regional Planning (URP); noting that these Departments are essential in resolving critical urban development challenges.
The meeting further underscored the importance of AGIS as a central hub for geospatial innovation, offering immense value to multiple sectors as geospatial data is increasingly important in the
day-to-day decision-making by the government.
