Ogheneruona Tejiri, Effurun
Worried about the incessant building collapse and failure of Urban Infrastructures across the country, the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN)has called on the incoming administration in Delta state to carry out full implementation of the Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Law 2021.
The professional body said the call became necessary because they were deeply concerned about the state of urban infrastructures and the incessant building collapse across Delta State.
The body made this call at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Institution Surveyors, Effurun, Delta State during their second quarter board meeting.
Chairman of the APBN, Delta chapter, Engr. Dr. Sunny Emeka Ali said that part of the agenda they are setting for the incoming administration in Delta State included the Inauguration of Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal.
Accordng to him, “we believe that the incoming administration in Delta State must prioritize the enforcement of the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Law 2021 by instituting and inaugurating the Board of the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Board and the Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal.”
Ali noted that the Planning Law 2021 is a critical law that sets out the guidelines and standards for urban and regional planning in Delta State, adding that without an enforceable regulation and guidelines, it is difficult to effectively control development and hold any developer or responsible party involved questionable to account.
The body also called on the incoming administration to formulate the Development Control Regulations in accordance with the Act, stressing that this is critical for having an enforceable development control guidelines and standards.
He added, “the lack of enforceable regulations and guidelines is one of the major reasons for the chaotic and reckless building development activities in Delta State. Therefore, it is imperative to formulate the regulations to effectively control development and hold any developer or responsible party involved questionable to account.”
Engr. Ali spoke further, “holding Developers and Property Owners to Account is imperative. The failure to hold developers and property owners accountable for their actions is a major issue in Delta State. This has resulted in the incessant building collapse and failure of urban infrastructures in the state. Therefore, we call on the incoming administration to take the necessary steps to hold developers and property owners accountable for their actions.”
Ali said that, “as professionals, we are committed to supporting the incoming administration in its efforts towards the full implementation of the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Law 2021 and its agenda to sanitize the building and construction industry in Delta State.”
The Association added, “we believe that by prioritizing the enforcement of the law, constituting and inaugurating the Board of the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Board and formulating the Development Control Regulations, the incoming administration will be able to effectively control development and hold any developer or responsible party found wanting to account.”
The Association also noted that they were deeply concerned about the increase in crime incidents and insecurity in Delta State and also worried about the the 2023 flood forecast and outlook in Nigeria.
The body therefore urged the Delta State Government and relevant authorities to take proactive measures in addressing the rise in crime incidents and insecurity, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of the predicted floods.
The professional body advised the Delta State Government to increase the capacity of security agencies in the state to tackle crime and insecurity by implementing community policing initiatives to enhance community involvement in crime prevention.
They also advised the government to lay emphasis on slum clearance and rehabilitation of abandoned buildings and blighted area which serves as breeding grounds for criminals and crimes.
