Smart City: FCTA To Deploy GIS For Street Addresses

By: Ben Ukeji

In its quest to develop and transform Abuja, the nation’s capital, into a modern and smart city, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has concluded arrangements for the introduction of a platform, Geographic Information System (GIS) software for street addressing. 

The development of street addressing scheme is to ensure standard addressing system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) using the Nigerian standard for the Abuja Smart City development.

The project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI), in the United State of America (USA), is expected to commence with a pilot street project that will be implemented using the local Environmental Systems Research Institute authorized partner.  

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Environmental Systems Research Institute, USA, Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Olusade Adesola, who signed on behalf of the FCTA,said the project would assist greatly in the Administration’s desires to transform Abuja into a modern smart city comparable to best managed cities in the World. 

Adesola explained that the present leadership of the FCT Administration is keen to develop Abuja in line with its Master Plan in accordance with vision of the founding fathers of the Territory, who conceptualized Abuja to be a world Class city.

He stated that the signing of the MoU is an indication of the necessary steps being taken by the government to actualize the vision of the transforming Abuja into a smart city that will not only serve as the best capital in Africa but would also assist the government in addressing socio-economic challenges.

According to him, the development of an e-commerce platform using ESRI’s Geospatial Infrastructure will also greatly grow revenue for the FCT Administration through the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS); stressing that the provision of these services to both private and Government Agencies is dependent on having a standard addressing system that is reliable, authoritative, and seamlessly accessible.

President of the American Multinational Geographic Information System Software Company, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Mr. Jack Dangermond, who signed the MoU on behalf of the Institute, equally donated the GIS Software worth over One Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($100,000) about N79,000,000 for the Project.

Dangermond, who was part of the Abuja Master plan Consultants in its embryo stage said the donation of thesoftware was part of his contribution towards the development and efficient management of the city, which is very dear to his heart.

The development and subsequent deployment of an efficient addressing system is expected to help in the transformation of Abuja into a Smart City, provideaccurate and accessible platforms to support contact tracing and vaccination campaigns.

The project will also enhance courier delivery, postal services, utility services such as water and sewage, Electricity supply, internet, billing, emergency dispatch/response, disaster management.

When fully deployed the software will assist in the household surveys/census, property registration, valuation and taxation, Urban Planning, Real Estate, opening bank accounts, driver’s registration, National identification, and other smart City initiatives.

The signing of the MoU, which took place in San Diago, USA, was witnessed by the Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGoF) Surveyor AbuduganiyuAdeyemi Adebomehin, the Director/CEO, Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Dr. Isa Ibrahim Jalo and Director of Legal Drafting, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Ahmed Ismaila.