FG launches campaign for LGs proof of address system implementation

The federal government has formally launched a nationwide sensitisation campaign for the activation and implementation of Local Government Proof of Address (POA).

The POA is meant to strengthening governance, enhance security and improve efficient service delivery at the grassroots levels in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, while declaring open the one-day Stakeholders’ Sensitisation programme of the Northern Geopolitical Stakeholders’ Meeting organised in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), underscored the importance of the implementation of the POA System in addressing security challenges and improving governance at the grassroot level.

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“The POA initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to tackling the nation’s key challenges while laying the foundation for a safer, more efficient and prosperous Nigeria. It represents crucial step towards strengthening governance, enhancing security and improving efficient service delivery at the grassroots levels,” he said.

Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office (PEAO), Engr. Nadungu Gagare, said that the Proof of Address (POA) System initiative is set to be implemented across all the 774 Local Governments.

He said, “It is designed to provide every resident with a verifiable and secure address. It will serve as an essential tool integrated into administrative processes in both the public and private sectors to curb various societal vices and provide a safer environment for all citizens.”

In his remarks, the National President of The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Engr. Bello Lawal, represented by the former Chairman of Karu LGA and his Special Adviser, Simon Akala, said that when the street naming and numbering are carried out diligently and linked to a centralised POA database, it will serve as a critical infrastructure for financial inclusion, delivery of national identity cards, voter cards, passports, NINS, utility bills, and other address-linked credentials.

He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community influencers, civil society and local government officials, to commit themselves toward the actualization of the national cause.

In his goodwill message, the Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Adeyemi, represented by Mrs Rose Ismaila assured that the agency has a mandate to develop a national address system and a digital post code that will help in effective service delivery.

She said that NIPOST is collaborating with ALGON in the alignment of the street names data sets with post codes and also ensuring that all buildings in Nigeria have Digital Alpha Numeric Postcode System for easy identification.