What’s the AGIS System Infrastructure Overhaul all about, anyway?

The FCT’s leadership is pivotal to the implementation of this transformation. The overhaul of AGIS infrastructure, through the Executive Director AGIS, Mrs. Jamila Tangaza, was with the implicit purpose of guaranteeing security, efficiencies and innovative workflows and a process to impede gaps in all areas.Most of all, with the rapidity and changes in today’s technology-driven […]

The FCT’s leadership is pivotal to the implementation of this transformation. The overhaul of AGIS infrastructure, through the Executive Director AGIS, Mrs. Jamila Tangaza, was with the implicit purpose of guaranteeing security, efficiencies and innovative workflows and a process to impede gaps in all areas.
Most of all, with the rapidity and changes in today’s technology-driven world, more and more sophisticated requirements of the real estate, and market and the ICT infrastructure that’s required to guarantee the levels of systems security and operational efficiency that the FCT Administration and the general public expects from AGIS.
Owing to the singular fact that 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, workstations 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 for and got approval from the FCT Minister to carry out the systems upgrade in the areas of 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.
Furthermore, with the computerized nature of security challenges AGIS faces, it is completely essential that actions are taken to reinforce the general security of AGIS infrastructure, as well as put in place a robust security surveillance infrastructure to complement existing initiatives such as security doors and access control system.
AGIS also elucidated that the implementation of the new system infrastructure was done almost entirely by its in-house IT team with some support from our 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 which is based on the very latest technology available in the world.
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 were 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.
Basically, the eventual beneficiaries of all of these efforts will undoubtedly experience and enjoy faster, more effective and qualitative service in all aspects of their dealings with AGIS. This will also ensure an increased revenue generation accruing to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, which will be used for the overriding benefit of FCT residents in the areas of developmental projects and provision of services.
Mohammed Awwal Ibrahim, 3, Adisa Estate, Durumi District, Abuja