The Anambra state branch of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, NITPL, has lauded the state government for coming up with the Physical Planning Law that should govern administration of Physical Planning in Anambra state.

The group during a recent courtesy call on the chairman of Physical Planning Board, expressed satisfaction that the Law, as enacted, was keyed into the national framework on administration of physical planning in Nigeria.

According to them, essence of this is that Anambra State is qualified legally, structurally, and administratively to benefit from programmes constantly mounted by the national government and United Nations on environmental issues such as eradications of slums, promotion of smart cities and urban water shortage eradication, among others.

The town planners association however wants the government to move a step further by appointing Consultant Town Planners into the Board as provided by the Physical Planning Law, for development of workable synergy between Ministries, Agencies and Corporations working on the
physical environment.

Apart from statutory liaison, the state chapter of Nigeria Institute of Town Planners says it is available for assistance through oversight and supervision, on road works and other building projects, to ensure the state is not cheated in standard specifications.

They expressed worry at the rate of traffic congestions along some strategic road junctions in the state, pointing out that they can render professional hand to government to end the chaotic traffic situations in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ogidi and many other places.

The chairman of the Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, had while receiving them, expressed government’s readiness to bring sanity to the challenges plaguing the building sector in the state, and called for their cooperation.