Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has blamed cases of building collapse in Nigeria to yet-to-be implemented 1992 Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law.
Its National President, Dr Ogbonna Chime spoke in Awka, Anambra state during a town hall and leadership training on leadership roles in urban planning profession and its administration.
He said the components of the law, drafted by Nigerians were enough guarantee against contributing factors to building collapse or other forms of mishaps in the building environment.
According to Chime, the provisions that used to impede functional town planning activities as contained in the old law were corrected in the 1992 law.
He insisted that for the country to move forward without records of building collapse, there was need for the implementation of the Law.
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He said: “In 1992, Nigerians government in its wisdom crafted what we call 1992 Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law.
“This law was drafted by our people for our people as against that of 1946 made by the colonial masters whose interest was more selfish than for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“Those provisions that used to impede functional town planning activities were corrected in the law drafted by Nigerian government.
“Under this law, the Chairman of the Town Planning Authority at the local level and the Executive Secretary are all town planners.
“Professionals in the building sector are also employed on part time basis to work with the team. These professionals are not only proactive, but ready to die for the truth.
“The new law provides for all these and if the implementation has started, especially in parts of the country devoid of swamps, nobody will be talking about building collapse.
“Under the same law, you have a Town Planner in the board at the state level, an Architect, land and quantity surveyors, estate manager and civil engineer.
“When you have a collection of these professionals in the building environment, I believe that once the law is implemented, we won’t be talking about building collapse
“Meanwhile, the Federal Government, a week ago, through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development inaugurated a task force that overseas how building collapse can be prevented.”
Emphasizing the importance of the training which included educating members on the expectations for effective functioning, Chime urged members to take the meeting seriously.
State Chairman, Dr Nwofor Ben said the stakeholders meeting was opportunity for stakeholders and players in the field of physical planning to interact and iron out grey areas of planning profession for the benefit of the general public.
