The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) disclosed this in a statement by its Head, Media and Public Affairs Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Bello-Barkindo said that the states able to update their property records would each unlock the performance grant under the World Bank-funded States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.

“However, it is imperative that these property records reflect accurate information about the name of the owner/occupier, size of the land parcel, size of the building, use of the land/property amongst other criteria required by the programme.

“It is no news that States are at varying stages of GIS deployment with some notably Kaduna, Kogi, Lagos, Oyo, Nasarawa, and Gombe States leading the way.”

In that development, Bello-Barkindo said that the NGF had scheduled two Virtual Peer Learning Events (PLEs) on “using GIS technology to strengthen land administration and property taxation” at the subnational level.

He said that the event would be held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning assisted by the World Bank.

“The Peer Learning Events are part of several capacity building efforts aimed at supporting the effective deployment of GIS at State-level.

“Efforts are underway to provide States with GIS data, orthophotos of property mapping and software to support enumeration.”

Bello-Barkindo said that the peer learning events would have the states showcase their deployment experience.

He said that the event would also avail aspiring states still early in the process of deployment an opportunity to break free of challenges that could hinder GIS deployment at State level.

The event, according to Olanrewaju Ajogbasile, NGF’s Senior Program Manager, SFTAS Technical Assistance Project, will hold on Nov. 5, and Nov. 16.

Ajogbasile said that states were determined to get it right this time and ensure old mistakes were not repeated thus, “the need to learn from the experiences of others who have led the way in GIS deployment.”

“GIS deployment and the consequential benefit of holding accurate land and property records will bring sanity to land administration across the country while ensuring that fair and right taxes, fees or levies are charged.”

Ajogbasile noted that no fewer than 160 persons would be in attendance at both peer learning events including State actors, partners and implementing agencies on the SFTAS programme.

State officials expected at the event include states Project Managers for the GIS deployment; Directors of Lands (Ministry of Lands/GIS Agency); Directors, Property Tax (State IRS); and States SFTAS Focal Persons.

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The NGF Head of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, made the clarification in a statement issued on Monday morning in Abuja.

”While some state are yet to begin distribution because they had not fully received items meant for distribution, palliatives found in warehouses in Lagos and some states were kept for the vulnerable,” the forum.

The NGF noted that the 36 state governors had since the EndSARS demonstrations started, held several meetings to address the underlying concerns.

“The NGF re-emphasises that palliatives found in warehouses that were broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept in storage for members of the society especially our vulnerable citizens,” the forum said

“For the avoidance of doubt, some of the palliatives had the CACOVID stamp embossed on them, meaning that their source is unambiguous.

“As we know, CACOVID operations are mainly domiciled in Lagos, being the headquarters of most of the public-spirited organisations, corporate bodies and individuals that came together to form the Coalition Against COVID-19; CACOVID.

“Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to ten States had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their States.

“This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID.

“Some other states that still had palliatives in their warehouses chose to keep a strategic reserve ahead of a projected second wave of COVID-19.

“Furthermore, as of a couple of weeks ago, some states were still receiving palliatives from the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“The NGF also assures all contributors to the palliatives that prior to the looting of these warehouses, states had kept full accounts of all the items received and distributed.”

Bello-Barkindo called on members of the public to check their facts.

He said while the governors recognised the need for improved governance, members of the public should be careful not to damage country by pushing the wrong narrative.

“The state governors are doing their very best under the circumstances to ameliorate the needs of the teeming population

“The NGF stands for justice, improved governance and a progressive Nigeria.

“The NGF regrets the loss of lives and property occasioned by the violent protests that erupted, and calls for calm.

“A lot of the information circulating the social media needs to be fact checked,” the NGF said.

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The forum made the clarification in a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, on Saturday night in Abuja.

Bello-Barkindo said that Fayemi rather retrieved his passport when the American Embassy indicated that the visa may not be ready by Friday, because he had a crucial engagement on Monday in South Africa.

The spokesman made the clarification while reacting to a report that Fayemi was denied U.S. Entry Visa making the NGF to cancel trip to Meet Bill Gates.

“The NGF wishes to correct the mischievous report of 247Ureport on the United States’ visa application of its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

“Fayemi, like every other Nigerian citizen intending to visit the U.S., applied for a visa, attended his interview and was requested to pay the statutory visa acceptance fee by the U.S. Consulate.

“The Governor’s visa application was not denied.

“Anyone conversant with U.S. Visa application procedure knows that applicants are now routinely taken through administrative processing before visas are issued.

“When the American Embassy indicated that the visa may not be ready by Friday, Nov. 8, Fayemi retrieved his passport because of a crucial speaking engagement at the AfDB Africa Investment Forum in South Africa on Monday, Nov. 11.

“It is imperative to mention here that the NGF Chairman, Fayemi, only just returned from the U.S. where he attended the United Nation’s General Assembly where the NGF organised a high-level side meeting on the 27th of September 2019,” he said.

Bello-Barkindo, however, cautioned journalists on the rush to print, as blatant mischief, laden with glaring untruths, adding that such can drag the journalism profession to disrepute.

“Knowing Fayemi, it is virtually impossible to associate him with the uncouth behaviour that 247Ureports dramatised.”

Bello-Barkindo explained that the trip to the United States was at the instance of the Dangote Foundation in concert with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and it was on course.

According to him, the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have partnered for years on several global health and development initiatives in Nigeria.

It noted that in partnership with the NGF, the two foundations were hosting a group of executive governors in Seattle to discuss how to expand support of routine immunisation and polio eradication efforts.

“This is to help strengthen Nigeria’s primary health care system and the Human Capital Development agenda.

“The visit is expected to foster a deeper understanding of the State Government’s development priorities within the context of the Human Capital Development framework.

“The visit is also expected to harvest perspectives to better inform joint strategies for greater impact and progress in meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he added.

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