THE recent passage of the urban and regional planning Bill by the Delta State House of Assembly is not only laudable but a pragmatic step towards sustainable development of the state. It will no doubt go a long way in ensuring that the urban development activities in the state are carried out in a safe and orderly manner in furtherance of the urban renewal drive of the state government as encapsulated in the MORE Agenda.
It is incontrovertible that a number of cities and urban centres ihave suffered haphazard planning leading to spatial divide, marginalization, slums and ghettoization of certain localities underming the development of the state.
The new bill is therefore a welcome development as it will help to address the constraints associated with limited physical activity, limited access to healthy food, poor sanitation, poor security, epileptic power and water supply, as well as public health challenges. The better a city is planned, the more prepared it will be for any future event and a safer place for numerous residents, visitors and tourists.
With a thoroughly planned layout, a city can provide its residents with access to all essential services, points of interest and amenities. The unfavorable aspects of urban life such as encroachment on parks, ecological diversity, heritage sites and natural resources are reduced, leading to an overall healthier lifestyle and improved quality of life that will ensure proper regulation and distribution of infrastructure and public spaces.
We commend the State House of Assembly for the passage of the bill as it would facilitate urban renewal, town planning, establishment of urban and regional planning board and local planning authority. It will also help to address the conflicts between local governments and state ministry of lands, survey and urban development arising from the existing laws and provide for the administration of urban and regional planning, development, renewal and building control activities.
The purpose of urban planning is to maximize the benefits of city life, hence well-planned cities are less prone to loss of property or lives and more resilient against all types of disasters, including the incidents of building collapse which is becoming rampant in Nigeria.
We are totally in support of the bill, as it will make room for adaptation to environmental considerations in urban planning in the state, which would help to reduce the environmental impacts of global warming; as a well-planned city with proper handling of waste, a level of control over greenhouse gas emissions and a more rational utilisation and distribution of resources. The credibility of a city reflects on its growth, economic stability and community engagement. Thus engendering a safe and prosperous environment that attracts new residents, investments and opportunities.
To derive the expected benefits of the new bill when signed into law by the governor, we urge the relevant ministry, regional planning board and local planning authorities, as well as residents of the state, including law enforcement agencies to be alive to their responsibilities to ensure that original plans are not distorted. This is because instances abound, where through acts of omission or commission by MDA officials, desperate property developers have built structures on waterways and encroached on government lands and reservation areas.
As Deltans look forward to a new dawn occasioned by the bill, we urge the field officers to demonstrate professionalism through strict implementation of the the urban and regional planning laws so that the state can harness the benefits of a well thought out urban development strategy envisioned in the bill. It is an Executive bill, thus demonstrating the state goverment’s resolve on speedy growth of the economy, as well as raising social conditions and environmental protection.
