The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called for deeper collaboration with the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to strengthen infrastructure planning, promote balanced national development and create more employment opportunities for professional town planners across Nigeria.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the NITP National President, Dr. Chime Ogbonna, and members of the institute’s leadership to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Mrs. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, in Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, Ogbonna said both institutions share a common objective of ensuring equitable and sustainable development across the country.

He explained that while the NITP is responsible for preparing national physical development plans, regional development frameworks and urban master plans, the FCC plays a critical role in ensuring the fair distribution of public infrastructure, opportunities and resources across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NITP president urged the commission to strengthen its technical capacity by recruiting more professional town planners and engaging consultant planners to provide expert guidance on the location and development of major government projects.

According to him, involving qualified town planners in infrastructure planning would ensure that projects align with approved master plans, enhance service delivery and support orderly physical development nationwide.

Ogbonna also expressed concern over reports that positions reserved for town planners in some public institutions were being occupied by professionals from unrelated disciplines.

He called for greater recognition of the profession in public sector recruitment and appointments, stressing that proper urban and regional planning remains essential for sustainable development.

Responding, FCC Executive Chairman, Mrs. Hulayat Omidiran, welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the commission’s willingness to collaborate with the institute.

She acknowledged the technical expertise of town planners and noted that the commission would benefit from professional input in ensuring that infrastructure projects are aligned with existing master plans and national development priorities.

Omidiran stated that the FCC remains committed to engaging professional bodies whose contributions support national growth and development.

She added that effective planning and stronger institutional collaboration are critical to managing the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s cities and communities while ensuring sustainable development outcomes.

The meeting was attended by FCC commissioners representing Taraba and Lagos states, as well as senior officials of the NITP, including the Second National Vice President, Tpl. Dr. Garba Jibrin; National Secretary, Tpl. Dr. Zayyanu Muhammad; Chairman of the NITP Presidential Committee on Youth Employment, Tpl. PK Lami Ayuba; Acting Executive Secretary, Tpl. Jide Bananola; and representatives of the Young Planners Forum of the FCT Chapter.

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The administration is being owed billions of Naira in ground rents by both individuals and organizations with property in the territory.

According to a notice issued Tuesday night in Abuja and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the FCT, Mr Olusade Adesola, property owners are expected to pay their annual rents without promptings from the administration.

He said; “The Federal Capital Territory Administration hereby reminds the general public, particularly allottees of Land(s) within the FCT, of their obligation to the Administration as stipulated in the covenant terms of the Certificates of Occupancy to wit ‘to pay in advance without demand to the FCTA, the annual ground rent from the first day of January of each year’ and also note that a breach or failure to comply with any or all of the terms stated in the Rights of Occupancy shall be liable to the revocation of the title.

“In this regard, the under listed public institutions and corporate organizations are requested to come forward and settle their outstanding Ground Rents within two (2) weeks from the date of this publication, failure of which their title(s) shall be revoked.

“The procedure for payment is as follows: – E-Payment through the REMITA portal to generate a REMITA retrieval reference

(RRR) by following the steps below:

* Log onto the REMITA portal (https://remita.net)

* Click on “Pay TSA & States”

* Select Federal Capital Territory Administration

* Select Abuja Geographic Information Systems

* Choose the revenue head to be paid (eg. FCC Ground Rent)

* Fill the required information, submit and print the RRR slip

* Either pay through your account or walk into any commercial bank and make your payment

Source: Vanguard

Read Also: 25% win in FCT not required to win presidential election – Tribunal

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