Evidently, from the recent overhaul and complete change of the infrastructure in Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), the Transformation Agenda of the present government is alive and kicking in the FCT.Senator Bala Mohammed is pivotal in the implementation of this transformation. The overhaul of AGIS infrastructure by the FCT Minister through the Executive Director of the agency, MrsJamilaTangaza, was with the implicit purpose of guaranteeing security, efficiency and innovative workflows and a process to impede gaps in all areas.
Not until this moment, since the inception of AGIS in 2003, there has not been any hardware systems renewal/upgrade which is necessarily done at the expiration of the useful duration of computer systems (mostly between 4-6 years, depending on the kind of equipment).
Based on this, most of the work servers, work stations and peripherals have surpassed their beneficial durations ensuing in reduced, unreliable and inefficient operations with negative consequences on AGIS’ overall performance.
The Executive Director AGIS, sought and got approval from the FCT Minister to carry out the upgrading and replacing of obsolete computer servers, workstations and peripherals, upgrading and repair of internet and WAN connectivity infrastructure, establishment of co-located disaster recovery site, installation of security surveillance infrastructure, integration of newly-acquired data storage infrastructure, upgrading of GIS/spatial data infrastructure and upgrading of online portal infrastructure.
In addition, MrsTangazaexpressed the need for the protection of sensitive data, when she said that “in order to protect the sensitive data in AGIS computerized repositories from possible loss, damage or corruption as a result of unforeseen incidents related to fire outbreaks, terrorism, theft and willful sabotage, AGIS system upgrade includes adequate disaster recovery plans involving offsite co-location of AGIS servers and storage systems, the system upgrade also provides an opportunity for AGIS IT unit to upgrade and tighten the effective domain access and system security policies in order to guard against future security breaches.”
She also elucidated that the implementation of the new system infrastructure was done almost entirely by the AGIS in-house IT team with some little support from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) partners. This in itself is an epoch achievement given the highly sophisticated and state of art architecture of AGIS new systems based on the very latest technology available in the world.
Thus, the utilization of in-house resources by the AGIS management was able to save significant amount of cost for the FCT Administration which hitherto would have potentially quadrupled the amount spent for the project. In addition to cost saving, Tangaza was also able to build sufficient in-house capacity to ensure the operations of the new system as well as knowledge transfer to the end users of the system.
The major internet connection of 512kbs via fibre provided by Galaxy Backbone Limited was grossly inadequate even for critical security updates, which could only be done during off-peak periods as a result of congestion.
E-collections were done using a V-Sat connection that was later upgraded to 1.5mbps, as it stands now the primary connection to the internet with a bandwidth of up to 13mbs means that speed of data processing is ten times faster than what it used to be.
The issue of low memory and other critical resources on the old un-upgradable client desktops and servers had made operations slower and processing time longer, it took three days to print C of O’s, in the past but with the overhaul it only takes thirty minutes.
The connection between AGIS and other stakeholder SDAs although claimed to exist, had never been active, collaboration and secure data exchange was impossible; it could only be done through public network.Now secure data sharing between AGIS and these stakeholder SDAs is possible. The immediate benefits will be closer collaboration, faster service delivery and information sharing.
Essential tools for GIS operations were dated 2006, recent technologies could not be utilized, existing satellite image is for 2009. All development/changes made after them never reflected and data processing tools only used older formats. The way it is now is that installation of a major tool used for all GIS (Geographic Information System) operations, including geospatial data management, integration, migration, digitization etc. we expect a more efficient monitoring of FCT boundaries. Initial equipment only covered FCC while the present one covers the entire FCT and part of the contiguous states. This is also useful, not only for land administration, but also for research, management of utilities and health facilities to mention a few.
Not too long the entire AGIS fire reaction and defence system was ineffective, the water reticulation was absent, the alarm system had less coverage and it was operated electrically which means that in case of a fire outbreak, it will seize to operate. Presently, the fire system is one of the best in the city, as all the hydrants and hose reels which previously ran out of water have now been fully restored and serviced. Also the smoke detectors have been completely reactivated.
By the benefit of this new system infrastructure, AGIS has been able to guarantee the security of valuable land related data stored in their databases by deploying a disaster recovery site at the ultramodern facilities of Galaxy Backbone Plc., which enables AGIS to automatically recover from disaster whether natural or manmade.
Basically, the eventual beneficiaries of all of these efforts are the highly esteemed customers who will undoubtedly experience and enjoy faster, more effective and qualitative service in all aspects of their dealings with AGIS.
From all indications the new AGIS infrastructure is a win-win situation for all.
Ibrahim wrote from Durumi District Abuja Email: [email protected]
