The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners has called on Nigeria government at all levels to implement the usage of the urbanised – city master plan to woo foreign and local investors in their various states.
This plea was made by the National President of the institute, Tpl Lekwa Ezutah while giving his opening remarks at the 50th National Conference/Annual General Meeting of the institute, themed “Regenerating Nigeria Cities for Sustainable Development” going on in Ibadan, Oyo state Capital on Tuesday.
Ezutah maintained that the implementation of good town planing would help a state gain investors that will create more employment opportunities, lead to improvement in the masses standard of living and result in enhancement in the people’s income.
He regarded the 50th Conference as an avenue which create opportunity for planners to brainstorm the way forward to come up with a road map that will benefit the people and government of the Nigeria federation.
He further called on the government to put more attention and vote adequate financial appropriation to physical planning to minimize environmental disaster in the country.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Oyo State chapter, Tpl Adeyemo Olajide described the 50th Conference as a tool that totally mirrors the goals and target of all town planners in the federation.
Adeyemo also noted reason for the government to take proper implementation of city development plan to uphold good physical planning in the country.
Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde ably represented by the Oyo state Head of Service, Alh. Amidat Ololade Agboola who is in company of the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barr. Abd. Rahmon Raheem in his keynote address described the Town Planning practice as a noble and fundamental industry which helps in appropriate utilization of lands in a given environment.
She further called on the association to look into the management and planning of Oyo state which she regarded as a state rich in natural and mineral resources.
Also speaking, the third Vice President of the National Institute of Builders, Hon. Bimbo Kolade said he believed the present administration under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde would embark on the Ibadan city masterplan initiated by the immediate past government.
Kolade who doubles as a commissioner at the Federal Character Commission, also lauded the World Bank Assisted project, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project for the works they are doing on physical structures to reduce flooding in the state.
Similarly speaking, the first female planner to become the Minister for State, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu noted that the need for regeneration of Nigeria cities can never be underestimated.
She hoped that the Outcome of the 50th Conference would create more resolutions on how Nigerian cities can add more aesthetic value and will also form a greater volume of changes in the sides of the Government. The event was given a cultural touch with a melodic spice up by the Oyo state cultural troupe.
