Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya yesterday said Nigeria would have been better off if policies regarding regulatory development are implemented through the stipulated channels.
Governor Yahaya stated this at his decoration as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Building (FNIOB) in recognition for his contributions to the growth and development of the building industry. The investiture of the governor was performed at Gombe State Government House by the President of the institute, Prof. Yohanna Izam in the company of national and state officials of the institute.
Yahaya said his administration established the Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS) and the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) as part of efforts to correct the anomalies inherent in land administration and indiscriminate erection of structures in the state.
He observed with dismay that flagrant abuse of building code and ethics across the country gives rise to slums in major cities.
Prof. Izam said they were in the state to decorate Governor Yahaya as FNIOB for his administrative perceptivity towards the development of an associated environment that enhances quality housing.
He paid special tribute to Governor Yahaya for his wisdom in developing social, economic and infrastructural dimensions of the state such as the multi-billion naira Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, and the network 11-100 road project, among others.
He also praised the governor for maintaining the peace in the state which facilitated the emergence of Gombe as number one in ease of doing business ranking.
The President of the institute, however, appealed to Governor Yahaya to upgrade the physical planning laws of the state to be in tandem with global best practices.
Recall that Governor Inuwa was recently conferred with a fellowship award by the Nigerian Institute of Building during the Builders’ Conference/Annual General Meeting, which took place in Akure Ondo State.