The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), TPl. Dr. Chime Ogbonna, has urged the Federal Government and State Government to fully implement the Urban and Regional Planning Law to promote orderly development and sustainable growth across Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the 56th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the institute at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, Ogbonna said effective enforcement of the law is crucial to addressing uncoordinated urban expansion, land misuse, and environmental degradation.
“The way forward is clear, Nigeria must embrace the full implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, now codified as Cap. 138 of the Laws of the Federation. This Law remains the most comprehensive framework for planning administration in our country.
“Its faithful implementation will ensure coherence among the three tiers of Government, provide for the preparation and periodic review of development plans, establish effective mechanism for development control and strengthen the participation of citizens in shaping their environment.”
He also noted that poor compliance and weak institutional structures have hindered the effectiveness of planning efforts nationwide. According to him, implementing the law will ensure balanced urban growth, improved infrastructure, and better living conditions for citizens.
“If properly implemented, it will reduce haphazard development, stabilize land use patterns, protect the environment, and foster the kind of sustainable and inclusive urban growth we all desire.” He stated
Concluding his address, The NITP President commended the Federal Government for prioritising housing development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, but stressed that housing must be seen as part of a broader urban and regional planning framework. He explained that sustainable cities can only be achieved when planning is properly administered to integrate land use, infrastructure, and social services within a unified development strategy.
“At this point, i must commend the Federal Government for its commitment to the housing sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda. However we must also emphasize that housing is only a subset of urban and regional planning. Whenever planning is rightly administered, housing finds its natural place as part of a larger system of integrated land use, infrastructure and social service delivery”
Ogbonna reaffirmed the NITP’s readiness to partner with the government at all levels to strengthen planning institutions, enforce development control, and promote inclusive urban growth.
