The Cross River State Government has intensified efforts to implement the Proof of Address PoA, Federal Government initiative aimed at introducing a data-driven identification system for proper documentation of residents and businesses.

According to the Federal Government, the PoA will replace Nigeria’s longstanding reliance on informal and non-standard address descriptions and tools, such as utility bills, with a credible, standardised system that can be uniformly verified across the country.

As part of preparations for the rollout, the state government, in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Cross River State chapter, on Thursday held a statewide sensitisation programme on the PoA initiative for MDAs in Calabar.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh described the initiative as a strategic tool for improving security, governance, and service delivery across the state.

Prof Enoh, represented by the Director of Administration in his office

explained that the initiative will provide verified residential documentation to aid intelligence gathering, crime detection, and rapid emergency response. He added that accurate address data will also enhance planning, service delivery, and access to government interventions.

He noted that the sensitisation programme underscores the state government’s commitment to the PoA project, particularly its full integration across MDAs and local governments

The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Commission, Mrs Glory Odu Oji, assured participants of the readiness of local councils to support smooth implementation. She emphasized that councils would work closely with relevant stakeholders to boost security coverage and ensure residents benefit fully from government programmes.

Cross River State Proof of Address Coordinator, Ufere Adat Sunday, said the sensitization programme was aimed at aligning Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a coordinated implementation framework. He noted that the initiative will strengthen data integrity, improve revenue collection, and support effective policy execution at both state and local government levels.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Proof of Address initiative, Mrs Isi Okwuada, described the programme as a federal government backed intervention designed to address security and social gaps while improving emergency response systems.

She highlighted key benefits, including enhanced identification of residents, stronger security monitoring, faster emergency response, easier access to financial and government services, optimized revenue generation, and more effective governance planning.

She briefed participants on the objectives of the initiative, implementation procedures and the strategic importance of PoA to governance, security and service delivery.

Participants at the meeting pledged full support for the initiative, describing it as a timely and significant step toward creating a more structured, accountable, and data driven governance system in Cross River State.