The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has tasked both federal and state government to quickly renew efforts aimed at tightening regulation and control of building development policies across the country.
The National President of the institute, Nathaniel Atebije stated this during a press beiefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He expressed dismay about the continued lack of quality housing across the country, adding that the hardship occasioned by fuel scarcity, escalating inflation, non-availability of the national currency (the naira) have continued to worsen citizens’ difficulty.
Atebije said lack of commitment to physical planning contributes in no small way to the hardship and enjoined government to quickly look into the matter and address it.
He expressed the resolve of NITP to draw attention of government to ensure right thing is done so as to realize the institute’s dream building an egalitarian society across the nation.
The National President however expressed concern over the seeming inability of those vying for political offices to infuse the issue of land uses into their manifesto, describing land as a veritable tool for development.
In his words, “A lot has been promised to give Nigerians the hope of getting into the Promised Land through infrastructure, industrial development, educational improvement, expansion and diversification of the economy, accelerating social development, easing transportation and improving convenience of living.
“The real question concerning the lofty proposals is the reality of their thoughts. Another question is whether the conceivers of these plans are aware that implementation must be on the solid land. And yet, another question is, do the promise makers know that there are some people (around them) who are trained and have become experts in the organisation of land uses to bring the highest beneficial dividends to developments on land?
“Except these facts are answered through good knowledge or advice to the policy makers, we may end up again building castles in the air”, he stated.
Reacting to issues of multiplicity of authority in the housing sector and the critical element of international best practice, NITP President said “To grow well is to plan before we develop. We urge government, individuals in Nigeria to embrace physical planning so that our growth and development could be sustainable.”
