… Says proper housing planning to address rapid urbanization
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc Musa Ahmed Dangiwa, has disclosed that the Revised National Urban Development Policy, (NUDP) will soon be completed and adopted for use in the practice of urban and regional planning in Nigeria.
Dangiwa disclosed this when he received the Leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. The Minister explained that the National Urban Development Policy document was being diligently work upon by the Ministry and would be presented to stakeholders in the built environment for their inputs during the forthcoming National Council on Lands and Housing Development coming up in October, 2023, saying that, it would thereafter be approved by the Federal Government.
Accordingly, the Minister also stated that the challenges facing cities across Nigeria have become more complex and many due to rapid growing of the population and urbanization, emphasizing proper planning and housing development are the keys required to solving them. “It is evident that proper planning and housing development are keys to addressing these challenges effectively,” he said.
Expressing the readiness of the Ministry to collaborate with the Institute in the formulation and review of urban planning policies, the Minister revealed that the Ministry would be constituting a committee to reform both the housing policy and Land Use Act, assuring them that the Institute would be co-opted as members of the committee in order to leverage on their expertise.
Dangiwa further said that the ministry would be willing to partner with the institute in the areas of training and capacity building programmes, research in urban planning, sustainable development, and joint initiatives for urban renewal, slum upgrading and development of affordable housing projects.
He said, “I believe that effective collaboration between the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development can significantly contribute to the development of well-planned, sustainable, and inclusive cities and towns across Nigeria, ultimately improving the quality of life for its citizens.”
He averred, “Your expertise in spatial planning, environmental management and infrastructural development is critical in ensuring that our urban areas are well planned and able to meet the needs of the people.”
Earlier in his remark, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tpl Nathaniel Atebije, expressed delight about the creation of the Ministry of Housing and the appointment of a professional in the built environment to direct its affair.
Describing the Minister, Tpl Atebije said, “being knowledgeable and experienced in this terrain gives us the confidence that your tenure shall make a remarkable difference in the strides of this Ministry in meeting the needs of the Nigerian population in housing and urban development.”
Commending the Federal Government for the Ministers’ appointments, he said that the federal government’s decision to create the ministry has shown its readiness to solve the problems of physical planning, housing and urban development in Nigeria.
“The benefit will be the deployment of professional knowledge and experience to solving problems facing the sector and it will enhance focus and prioritization of housing and urban development whereby achievable targets could be set and realized.”
Salisu Haiba Badamasi
Deputy Director (Information)
