Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor, Akwa Ibom State.
By Contributor
Town Planning Practitioners in Akwa Ibom State have appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to assent to the Urban and Regional Planning Law recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
They noted that the law will enhance progress in physical development and
management of urban and rural settlements in the State.
The call was made by the Representative of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio during a one day seminar organised by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Akwa Ibom State chapter.
Mr. Ufot-Akpabio urged the State Government to review existing building regulations and standards saying that the dynamics of environmental development as practiced all over the world has left the State a decade behind.
Participants at one day seminar for members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planning, Akwa Ibom State chapter.
He maintained that an up -to -date planning data in urban and regional planning practice were inevitable if the State must keep pace with development and global trends in the sector.
Mr. Ufot-Akpabio, urged town planners in the State to be inherently forward – looking and imaginative in their
approach to the practice.
Illustrating the graphical progression of town planners through Skipp presentation, the resource person regretted the dwindling fortunes of town planners in Akwa Ibom State and urged them to adhere strictly to norms and ethics of the profession if they hope to break even and earn public trust.
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Mr. Ufot-Akpabio regretted observable unprofessional tendencies of some members of the body especially their collaboration with quacks in the profession, saying that acts of corruption in the practice was
counterproductive and must be stamped out.
He lauded the Town Planning Registration Council of Nigeria and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners for ensuring that members of the profession are striking a balance between concepts and realization of its lofty goals
and aspirations.
He identified inadequate information about settlement and its
inhabitants in Akwa Ibom, land management, non-computerization of planning and other land related activities as well as mistrust among planners as some of the challenges facing the profession.
Mr. Ufot-Akpabio enjoined town planners in the State to be proactive in all spheres of their operation saying, developing good team spirit with administrators and policy makers in the state would be of immense importance to the profession and the society.
The Chairman of the Practice Committee of the Institute, Mr. Victor Umoren, applauded members of the committee and the institute for working
assiduously to ensure success of the event, calling on participants to see the event as a means of improving town planning practice in the State.
The Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr.
Emmanuel Etuk thanked the resource person for sharing his depth of experience with members of the institute, urging members to
adhere strictly to the provisions of the law establishing the profession.
The theme of the seminar was, “Urban and Regional Panning Practice in Akwa Ibom State: The Journey so far”.
