Okpebholo Approves New GRA to Ease Congestion, Expand Housing in Edo

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of a new Government Reserved Area (GRA) to decongest the city centre, open up more housing opportunities and attract investment.

The Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Assoc. Prof. Innocent Ehiaguina Bello, FNCA, who announced this in Berlin City said the Governor has directed the agency to survey and plan the new estate.

Bello said the New GRA will relieve pressure on the existing city centre by providing a well-planned residential area with modern infrastructure and sound land administration. The layout, he said, will make room for roads, drainage, electricity, water supply, telecommunications and other basic services.

“The project will be handled with professionalism, transparency and technical precision,” he said, adding that sustainable urban development will guide the work.

He explained that the layout will show clear plot boundaries, road alignments, access routes and designated land uses, to guide development and reduce land disputes. Secure titles and reliable cadastral records, he added, will help check multiple allocations, land grabbing and other forms of land racketeering.

Bello stressed that proper physical planning is key to avoiding the problems of unplanned urban growth, especially buildings that encroach on roads, drainage channels and other public spaces. The estate will also have green spaces, recreational facilities, sanitation and waste management systems, and effective stormwater drainage.

On the economic side, he said the New GRA could boost investor confidence, encourage property development and create jobs through construction and related activities. It will also explore housing options for different income groups, subject to the approved scheme and government policy.

He added that transparent land allocation, proper documentation and lawful collection of applicable charges could increase government revenue and strengthen accountability in land administration.

EDOGIS will work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies on geospatial data acquisition, boundary verification, cadastral mapping, preparation of the layout and the creation of reliable digital land records. It will also help identify existing legitimate land interests and planning constraints, to limit conflicts.

Bello assured that implementation will respect the law, legitimate property rights, environmental requirements and approval procedures. He urged prospective property owners and investors to seek verified information through official channels and avoid unauthorised transactions or payments.

He said details on the location, approved layout, land allocation, infrastructure and timetable will be announced by the appropriate authorities after the necessary assessments and approvals.

Describing the project as an opportunity to advance the administration’s vision of a better-planned, less congested Edo, Bello reaffirmed EDOGIS’s commitment to the SHINE Agenda through professional surveying, dependable land records and improved service delivery.

He called on the media, government agencies, traditional institutions, landowners, investors and the public to cooperate with the government and respect due process.