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NITP urges Ondo government to domesticate urban, regional planning law

By  Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure
19 July 2021   |   3:00 am
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has appealed to Ondo State Government to domesticate Urban and Regional Planning Act, 2004 for effective development of the state.

Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP)

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has appealed to Ondo State Government to domesticate Urban and Regional Planning Act, 2004 for effective development of the state.

NITP President, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, who made the appeal at a press conference in Akure, stressed that physical planning would necessitate development in the society.

Ayinde lamented that only three states in the country, namely, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, have domesticated the law.

“When I took office as president, I said it be befitting to assess the state of physical planning in Nigeria because I realised that physical planning had not occupied its proper place in the country.

“Physical planning is the bedrock of development. The Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law 1992 became an Act in 2004. The law prescribes that physical plans should be prepared from national, state and to local government levels.

“To make that possible, it requires that the law should be domesticated at the state level. The truth is that Ondo State is yet to domesticate the law.”

He implored Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to intervene and show commitment as well as ensure implementation of the law.

“We make this appeal with all sense of responsibility because town planning is the answers to good governance. It is a fair reflection of what government is doing to actualise its policies.”

According to him, development without planning leads to chaos. He added that the government should show political will, provide adequate funding and procure requisite tools for constant monitoring for efficiency and effectiveness.

“We understand that the governor is investing massively in road infrastructure. However, this investment has to be within the framework of physical development plans prepared by qualified town planning professionals so that they would not be efforts in futility.

“We urge him to show commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into with the UN-Habitat to prepare master plans for Akure, Owo and Ore as well as urban regeneration in 10 selected towns,” he stated.

Ayinde enjoined the state government to make use of human resources residing in the state for its development, saying “the resources to plan the state already reside here. There is no need to seek foreign help or partners to build the state.

“What is left now is for the state to harness resources in existence. The government should also provide logistics and requisite requirements. It is not enough to plan without implementing it.”

He promised that the institute would be available to play any role that would lead to development in Nigeria, particularly in the state at a short notice.

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