The President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Mr. Nathaniel Atebiji has urged the leaders in government to embrace town planning.

He, however, emphasised the need to create channels for water to flow, adding that the only way to create such space is to plan the city.

Atebiji spoke at a town hall meeting organised by NITP Ibadan chapter to lay out modalities to combat flooding and erosion in Oyo State.

On his part, the immediate past president of the institute and a former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, stressed the importance of planning, especially before and during the rains.

The leadership training with the theme: “Leveraging Town Planning for Sustainable Urban Development in Ibadan and Oyo State”, which was held at the CCII, Oke Aremo, Ibadan had in attendance stakeholders in the sector.

The President-General of the central council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Niyi Ajewole, said the organisation is ready to partner with town planners to prevent negative occurrences in the city.