NITP to partner govts in planning law implementation

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has reiterated its commitment to implement the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law.

The new President of the institute, Dr Chime Ogbonna, who reinforced the commitment during the inauguration of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members in Enugu, stressed that it will intensify advocacy across all levels of government for the implementation.

Ogbonna assured that there will be partnerships with relevant agencies of government, and professional bodies, among others, toward setting up all institutions as encapsulated in the law.

For instance, he said NITP will work with the planning commission at the federal level, the urban development board at the state, and local planning authorities at the local councils to ensure a more livable environment for Nigerians.

He pledged that the NITP will partner with relevant agencies to bring up national frameworks/plans to guide the country’s physical developments and other planning endeavours.

On increasing enrolment of planning students in tertiary institutions, he said the institute will work with the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) to reverse the low intake of students. He noted that there ought to be succession for the profession to avert it going into oblivion.

“Advocacy to make Nigerians including government officials appreciate the role and importance of planning in the country will be intensified, while practice licenses for all practising planners in the country will be prioritised.

This will be worked out with TOPREC to help bring practice under effective control. For young planners, new areas of engagement/employment opportunities will be explored for them by the NITP,” Ogbonna said.

The NITP will equally play important roles in strategy-making/ policy formulation and plan preparation such as structure plans, master plans, and regional plans, among others by engaging with government institutions and communities, as well as offering insights toward robust and better policymaking/plan preparation,” he said.

He further said the institute will always consult with planners, improve their welfare and develop the profession, as well as sustain past achievements and make improvements where necessary.