Town planners seek FG’s support over population control

The National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, has urged the Federal Government to give adequate support to town planners to tackle the menace of improper planning, considering the country’s fast-growing population.

Ayinde made this call in Abuja during a one-week-long ceremony that encompasses the investiture of 51 members, including seven women.

He said, “Lack of proper planning has become a major cause of some challenges in our urban cities, ranging from climate change to flooding, among other natural disasters, that are facing the country now.

“The only resources Nigeria has is land. In 1971, Nigeria’s population was 56 million, but now we are more than 200 million on the same land over 50 years later. This poor planning contributes to some of the crises of farmers-headers clashes, communal boundary clashes and many more which the government needs to take proper action urgently.”

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He also urged the newly inducted fellows to be honest, humble and embrace what will bring national development.

“I urge you to be the case study of the society; do not compromise your profession to destroy your nation,” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr Attah Ikharo, said the FCT Administration aims to restore the city’s master plan, with the help of the NITP.

He said, “Our aim is to restore the FCT’s master plan. This city didn’t evolve on its own. People sat down in Lagos to plan it as a new city from scratch. Hence, it will be wrong to neglect or destroy the planning efforts and money put into planning the FCT by the founding fathers.

“However, some of the plans have been distorted today. And we need the support of the NITP to eradicate the distortions and restore Abuja to its masterplan.”

The chairperson, NITP, Abuja, Mr Mustapha Mudiwu, urged the inducted fellows to avoid any act that will tarnish the reputation of their profession.

The vice chairperson, NITP, Abuja, Lami Ayuba, said the institution exists to advance the science of town planning, of which women should play an active role.

She said, “The NITP exists to advance the science of planning for the interest of the country, and women are expected to play a leading role in this, and not be back benchers. There’s no discrimination against women here.”