By Angela Atabo and Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, Aug. 22, 2024 (NAN)The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called for comprehensive reforms in governance and economic management to address Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
The NITP National President, Mr Nathaniel Atebije, made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a press briefing by the institute.
Atebije commended efforts by government to provide sane environment, affordable housing, food, security, transportation, health facilities and other social amenities to improve Nigerians wellbeing.
He, however, expressed concerns about the economic hardships and rising cost of living, high rate of unemployment, insufficient energy, corruption, bad governance and other challenges confronting the nation.
He emphasised the need for Nigeria to move beyond protests and achieve meaningful progress through good governance, strategic planning, policy reforms, anti-corruption measures, and innovative solutions.
According to him, those will address the root causes of the problems.
He said that in addressing the problems, Nigeria also required a multifaceted approach, including agricultural revitalisation, adopting climate-smart agriculture, promoting local food consumption, and improving rural infrastructure.
He also advised government to strengthen the agriculture value chain, facilitate smallholder farmers’ access to financial support, improved seeds, fertilisers, modern farming techniques and training to improve food production.
Atebije also advised the federal government to frontally address the energy crisis through diversification of energy sources, upgrading the power grid and implementing policy reforms that encourage investment in the energy sector.
“There is also the need to promote energy efficiency in industries, homes, and public buildings by encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances, reducing waste, and optimising energy use,” he said.
The NITP president also urged government to improve transportation systems through investing in building and maintaining critical transportation infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, railways, and ports.
Atebije urged government to embark on cross-cutting solutions such as investing in education and training programmes to build the capacity of local workforce in agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors to drive the needed solutions.
He emphasised the need for partnerships between government and the private sector to pool resources and expertise, and to leverage technology and innovation to drive progress.
He emphasised the importance of physical planning in transforming Nigeria’s landscape and making it more conducive for economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.
According to him, engagement in physical planning will significantly facilitate development in Nigeria by providing a structured and sustainable approach to managing land use, infrastructure, and resources.
He added that engaging physical planners to conceive relevant development plans for regions, urban and rural areas would boost infrastructure development .
This according to him will also create efficient transportation network to improve connectivity, reduce the cost of goods and services, and facilitate trade and movement of people.
“Through planning, settlements will achieve sustainable land use zoning to ensure that land is used efficiently and appropriately to avoid conflicts and promote orderly development.
“We reiterate that physical planning, when it is allowed to be conceived by qualified town planners and effectively implemented, will transform Nigeria’s landscape.
“It will make the country more conducive for economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability,” he said. (NAN)