The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to intensify its engagement with the National Assembly in pursuing constitutional amendments that would strengthen physical planning and regional development across Nigeria. He said legislative reforms are necessary to improve coordinated planning and support balanced national development.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the NITP in Abuja, the minister advised the institute to advocate for the transfer of town planning from the residual legislative list to the concurrent legislative list. According to him, such a constitutional amendment would provide a stronger legal framework for effective physical planning and regional development across the country.
Momoh also responded to the institute’s request for increased recruitment of professional town planners into the federal civil service. He explained that employment decisions fall under the responsibility of the Federal Civil Service Commission but directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to formally document the manpower needs and forward them to the appropriate authorities for consideration during future recruitment exercises.
The minister further encouraged town planning consultants to register with relevant federal agencies to improve their eligibility for consultancy opportunities. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Regional Development has submitted four strategic policy frameworks to the Federal Executive Council, focusing on spatial equity, regional economic transformation, infrastructure connectivity, and human capital development. He noted that professional town planners would play a key role in implementing these policies once approved.
Earlier, NITP President, Dr. Ogbonna Chime, called for stronger collaboration between the institute and the ministry. He advocated the establishment of a dedicated town planning department within the ministry, increased recruitment of qualified town planners, and greater involvement of professionals in preparing and implementing regional development plans across Nigeria.
Stakeholders believe the proposed constitutional amendment could strengthen urban planning, improve land use management, and support more sustainable infrastructure and housing development across the country.
