The commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Hon Noble Atulegwu has assured town planners in the state of his readiness to partner with them to see that appropriate laws guiding the sector is domesticated in the state.
Receiving the executive members of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners , Imo.State Chapter in his office, Atulegwu noted that Governor Uzodimma understands clearly the importance of physical planning to development, hence, he is prepared to do his best to encourage critical stakeholders in the sector to ensure that imo is physically planned.
He thanked them for identifying and appreciating the good works of the shared prosperity government in the state, noting that the ministry of Lands cannot function effectively without collaboration of the town planners.
The lands boss stated that on assumption of office as commisioner for lands, he noticed that most departments were not functioning effectively and efficiently because of the staffing arrangement where non professionals were heading the key departments of which town planning was among. He immediately sort and got the consent of the governor to rejig the place and this brought sanity to the system, he said.
Atulegwu called for continuous partnership to see that owerri capital territory is returned to its original plan.
He assured that the state government is determined to correct all illegal and fraudulent altercations of the original Owerri master plan, promising that government will work to ensure that the state is the best planned in Nigeria.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Imo State Chapter, TPL Edith Akweke stated that NITP is a professional body that is geared towards bringing order and creating functional and sustainable cities and communities to ultimately guide growth and development of human settlements.
She thanked the commissioner for the changes he has brought to the sector within a short time in office. She applauded the government for the infrastructural development going on in the state especially in the area of road construction and urban renewal which has turned Owerri into a mega city.
She reiterated on the need to engage town planners effectively in the development of new estates especially by private developers.
Lending his voice, a veteran and seasoned town planner in the state TPL Chief D.C Obialor spoke on the need for the government to domesticate the Nigeria Urban and Regional planning law which is already being implemented at the federal level and in some states of the federation. He said that the law will provide the establishment of an effective administrative structure and preparation of development plans that will enhance sustainable development. He explained that physical planning law will go along way to eradicate the issue of building collapses in the state and position the state for greater and sustainable growth.
Also speaking, TPl Steve Onu, a retired permanent secretary in the state, expressed disappointment that most of the green verges in the state have illegal structures erected on them as approved by the previous government and most developers are now changing purpose clauses without due diligence. He spoke on the need for master plans comprising city plans,town plans and village plans as a necessity for genuine development of the state.
Mbidoaka Livinus
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