Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has launched an integrated Geographical Information System (GIS) resource centre in an effort to revolutionize decision-making, planning, and citizen engagement in the county.
Speaking Wednesday during the launch, Governor Abdullahi said the Geospatial Resource Centre aims to leverage geospatial information to address the challenges faced by the county and promote sustainable development.
Governor Abdullahi said that GIS is a powerful tool that will shape the future of the county in tackling complex challenges, including land management, urban planning, healthcare and disaster preparedness, among others.
"This system is not just a technological innovation but it's a commitment to better governance," said Governor Ahmed.
The GIS was developed by the Wajir County government in partnership with Mercy Corps.
"Wajir County's GIS initiative emphasizes the importance of adopting innovative solutions for governance and development. It is a testament to the county's aspiration for progress and innovation. It signifies a harmonious step forward towards data-driven governance and a brighter future for the county," said Governor Ahmed.
According to Mercy Corps country director Kunow Abdi, the objective of GIS is to improve and provide up-to-date spatial data to support critical decision-making by county governments and other stakeholders.
A message echoed by Lands chief officer Abdullahi Issack who lauded the platform as a game-changer in the dissemination of geospatial information to support urban planning, infrastructure development and environmental monitoring.
GIS will be domiciled in the Geospatial Resource Centre in the Lands docket.
"The G.I.S centre will act as a vocal point for collaboration between different stakeholders, providing access to geospatial data," said Issack.
The event was graced by delegations from the neighbouring Samburu, Garissa and Turkana counties led by their respective deputy governors.
