In a bid to improve accountability and increase internally generated revenue, the Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation conducted a review of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA) following its half-year financial performance evaluation for 2025.
During their oversight visit to CRGIA to assess the agency's revenue targets, lawmakers, led by Committee Chairman, Hon. Okon Owuna, in an interaction with the Agency's Director General, Mr. William Archibong, and senior management, they reviewed a detailed breakdown of the agency's income, expenditure, and operational challenges.
Joined by fellow committee members Hon. Francis Ogban, Hon. Omang Charles Omang, and Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, Hon. Owuna addressed the agency's financial progress and overall performance.
Hon. Okon Owuna commended the agency for its efforts thus far while advocating for enhanced performance moving forward.
In his presentation Mr. Archibong reported that revenue was relatively low in the first quarter due to delays in signing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), but noted that the process has since gained momentum.
He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts and improved outreach, the agency's performance would strengthen in the coming months.
The CRGIA's DG highlighted several operational challenges, including delays in land registration processes, overlapping revenue responsibilities with other MDAs, a shortage of qualified personnel, and limited public awareness of its services.
While acknowledging progress in areas such as the signing of C of O, he underscored the necessity for increased public sensitization to boost engagement and compliance and reiterated the need for ongoing government support in terms of funding, staffing, and equipment to meet its targets by the end of the year.