Town planners seek improved institutional framework for livable environment, economic boost

For effective physical planning capable of ensuring a livable environment and greater economic boost in Nigeria, there is the need for an improved and sustainable physical planning institutional framework, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), observed.

Members of the Institute, at  their recent 48th Annual Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, were of the conviction that government at all levels, as a matter of urgency, need to put in place an all-inclusive institutional framework as well as political will to implement such documents, whenever is available.

Emphasising its importance, the practitioners, while discussing the theme of event titled: “Physical Planning For Environment Equity, Security And Economic Enhancement”, among other issues, expressed concern over  urbanisation and its associated challenges, especially, as it relates to security and environmental issues in the Niger-Delta region.

In his address, Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson,  who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribi Jonah (Rtd), while declaring the conference open, said that Bayelsa state had achieved some milestones in physical and urban development concerns in the state.

The Governor assured NITP of its support, saying the state was open for meaningful engagements with them towards ensuring that his government overcomes age long physical planning and urban development challenges in the state.

President of NITP,  Luka Achi, noted that cities in Africa are faced with challenges of rapid urbanization such as increasing poverty, lack of access to basic services, inadequate infrastructure and deteriorating environment.

According to Achi, these challenges are more pronounced in Nigeria, it was unfortunate that, there is no institutional framework in place to address these problems.

“Our cities are facing a lot of challenges amidst increasing urban growth without robust institutional framework to manage these cities”, he said, adding that, Nigeria lacks strong public institutions, adequate land infrastructure, inequality, non-inclusiveness and poor in human settlement.

According to him, “Institutional framework for physical planning at all levels of governance was inadequate and unstructured. Many states of the federation are yet to domesticate the Nigerian Urban and Regional Law of 1992 as amended and develop instruments such as master plan and accompanying lower order development plans for their towns and cities”.

Achi said it was unfortunate that despite these challenges, the Federal and state governments do not accord sustainable physical development planning and urban generation their place as indicated in their annual budgets.

But as part of the solution to the problems, NITP president called on the town planners in public sector to involve actively in the formulation of development agenda towards addressing the challenges of rapid urbanisation, increasing poverty and environmental deterioration in human settlement.

This, he added, should be undertaken in conjunction with all stakeholders in which true democratic cultures, value and implementation mechanism be adequately entrenched in Nigerian.

To Tpl Lekwa Ezutah, the first national president, government should identify with the town planners in creating better physical environment in their communities.

In the same vein, the National Public Relations Secretary of the Institute, Mr. Gbenga Ashiru, said the conference was organised to advocate for effective planning strategies, which should be put in place for equitable, secured and economically prosperous human settlement in Nigeria.

Leaders of the profession also charged their members to uphold strict ethical standards in discharging their professional duties, warning them to avoid sharp practices and tendency to cut corners.