By Mercy Aikoye
Worried that human settlements have not been efficient, functional and environmentally sustainable, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) have tasked the National Assembly to address the differences in human, physical and capital investments.
The President of the NITP, Nathaniel Atebije, appealing at the National Assembly Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planing, Hon. Awaji-inombek Abiante, stressed the need for amendment of the Urban and Regional Planning Act and other related laws, to meet current realities and also to move urban planing matters to the concurrent list.
He said: “Present a bill to amend areas of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law that do not have sufficient provisions for effective enforcement.
“This is to make the law more contemporary, particularly with the possibility of putting physical planning matters on the concurrent list in the constitution.
“Set up structures particularly, National Urban and Regional Planning Commission to provide and implement National and Regional Development Plan with a view to harmonising and efficiently harness resources of each geo-political zone and draw up a national development framework.
He tasked the committee in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, to facilitate the completion and adoption of the revised National Urban Development Policy.
Responding, Abiante said that the committee was willing to collaborate with the institute for effective urban development across the country.
He said that the job of the institute and town planners is so important to the security of the country and would also ensure effective emergency responses.
He, however, charged the institute to make a proper presentation to the committee and also seek the input of other stakeholders in the process, for easy implementation of the laws when passed.
