The new executive council of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by its President, Olutoyin Ayinde has met the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and sought collaboration with the ministry.
The visit at the Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja is the first official assignment of the new administration to acquaint the Minister with activities of planners, one of the professional bodies in the construction industry that elected new National Executive Officers.
Aynide expressed deep concern about some of the social challenges that have bedeviled the country, especially this year, noting the physical implications of such development.
He used the opportunity to inform government on the readiness of the NITP for collaboration in such areas that will bring about a more resilient urbanization in Nigeria. Ayinde reminded the Minister of his love for planning and his irrevocable conviction that “the Urban and Regional Planner, on one hand and the Economic Planner on the other are most pivotal to the development of any civilization”.
According to Ayinde, the visit is significant in three folds.
One: The Ministry of Works and Housing is charged with policy issues on physical planning and human development in Nigeria and should take leadership in matters of urban and regional planning in Nigeria.
Two: The Minister is an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and therefore a stakeholder in the progress of the institute and its vision.
Three: The NITP looks forward to collaborating with the Ministry in areas that enhance physical planning in Nigeria and the attainment of Goal 11 of the Agenda 2030, Sustainable Cities and Settlements.
Responding, Fashola thanked the National President and his team for finding time to visit him. He described physical planning as the bedrock of economic development and growth, adding that no society can truly develop without first sorting out how land is to be used.
He called on NITP to intervene and take the lead in the reconstruction and redevelopment of the numerous police stations and court premises, recently destroyed in Lagos and other parts of country during the recent protests.
The National President was accompanied on the visit by some national officers including, the 1st National Vice President, Nathaniel Atebije; 2nd National Vice President, Ogbonna Chime; the National Secretary, Austin Ukanwa; Chairman Practice Committee, Barnabas Atiyaye, Chairman Publications Committee Prof. Davidson Alaci and Executive Secretary of the Institute, Eric Mbaaukan.
Others are Dunmoye Olasunkanmi, HOD, Urban and Regional Development, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
