NITP TELLS ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT TO DOMESTICATE  NIGERIAN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING LAW OF 1992

Nigeria Institute of Town Planner, (NITP) Enugu State Chapter, wants the state government to adopt and domesticate the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law enacted by the Federal Government in 1992.

The State Chairman of the Institute, Mr. Francis Ugwu, made the appeal when he led senior members of the Association and other major stakeholders on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Lands and urban Development, Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam.

Mr. Ugwu explained that the Town Planning Law being operated in the State was outdated and no longer relevant in view of the rapid urbanisation of the State.

Also, the representative of Enugu State in Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), Mr. Chime Ogbonna, and the Traditional Ruler of Etiti Obele-Agu Umana in Ezeagu Local Government, Igwe Aniedo Benjamin Ude, said the state had a lot of benefit from the new law if adopted and fully implemented.

In a remark, the Chairman, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Enugu State Branch, Mr. Mike Nwakobi, a former Vice Chancellor Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Chidi Ugwu, and a member of NITP Enugu, Professor Joy Ogbagzi, stressed the need for the government to insist that standard materials were used during construction works.

Responding, the State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Dr. Nnam, commended the group for the visit, noting that the State Government was already making efforts to domesticate law in the state.

The visit attracted many stakeholders, including the Acting Head of Department, Town Planning Services, Enugu State Chapter, Mr. Paul Ugwueze, Deputy Director Town Planning Department, Ministry of Lands, Mr. Charles Ngene.

CHRISTIAN NWANGENE