Town planners under the aegis of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Lagos State Chapter have expressed worries over illegal developments and slum growth, which constitute threats to livable communities across the state.

The chapter Chairman, Mr. Omotayo Awomos, who spoke at a forum to mark its yearly general meeting and 40th anniversary in Lagos, blamed the trend on lack of basic infrastructural facilities and government oversight.

He called on the citizens to voluntarily comply with development plans, planning laws and regulations, saying, “This is necessary to save ourselves from the threat of sanctions from the town planning offices, accompanying social and economic losses.”

Awomos also appealed to the government to be proactive and live up to its roles of improving the quality of life of citizens, as well as adopt more robust measures to tackle the problems facing cities. He said: “We want the citizens to be more involved in the planning and development of our cities, especially as it relates to voluntarily complying with laws and regulations.”

To tackle the menace of building collapse, he wants searchlights to be beamed on what happens at construction sites where the problems of sub-standard and poor-quality jobs, non-use of professionals and other unprofessional conduct trigger collapse of buildings. “The problem of building collapse is one that casts a shadow on the built environment sector and threatens the safety and security of citizens,” he said.

On the impact of the professionals since its past 40 years of existence, he stated that the chapter played an advisory role on public policies and programmes. NITP has made several submissions to the various levels of government, he said, noting that each of these Memoranda provided decision makers with implementable solutions to the problems confronting human settlements, towns and cities.

Awomosu added: “We have reinforced the use of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) professional stamps, thereby promoting ethics in planning practice across the state. We have been giving people the opportunity to get informed about planning and related issues. For us, the state of the built environment remains a major cause for concern.

The NITP boss said the chapter plans to commence construction work on its six-floor secretariat project next month in Lagos.