In its efforts to broaden the employment opportunities available to Town Planners, the National President of the NITP, Tpl Dr Chime Ogbonna, FNITP, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran.
Mr. President underscored the need for the Commission to collaborate with the NITP to ensure the successful implementation of the Commission’s mandate, noting that the two organizations have similar objectives. That is, to balance the distribution of amenities across the country, NITP using a well-designed National Physical Development Plan, regional development plans and master plans while the Federal Character Commission does the actual siting of basic infrastructures across the 36 states and Abuja, relying on the guidance provided by the plans prepared ahead of time by Town Planners.
He added that for the Commission to build its capacity to deliver on its mandate, it needs to employ as many town planners as possible as well as engage consultant town planners. These consultants, Mr. President notes, have the capacity to interpret the Commission’s proposals to the actual provisions in the approved relevant development plans. This guarantees the usefulness of government projects to the people and the orderliness of the environment. A further appeal was made to the Executive Chairman concerning reported cases of allocating positions meant for town planners to other professionals.
In her response, the cheerful Executive Chairman welcomed the NITP National President and his entourage, describing the visit as unique. She noted the requests of the Institute and assured Mr. President of the willingness of the Commission to collaborate with the NITP. She agreed that the Commission required the services of the Institute, especially in the area of guiding her organisation with the provisions of the master plans in relation to siting its projects as appropriate.
She received her guests in the presence of her two commissioners representing Taraba and Lagos states. The Taraba State Hon. Commissioner is incidentally a Town Planner – Tpl. Bala Bobboi, who led the leadership of the NITP to the Executive Chairman.
Accompanying the NITP President on the visit were the following:
- Second National Vice President, Tpl Dr Garba Jibrin, FNITP
- National Secretary, Tpl Dr Mohammed Zayyanu, FNITP
- Tpl P. K Ayuba Lami Arziki, FNITP: Immediate past Chairman, NITP FCT Chapter.
- Tpl Ozougwu Okechukwu Moses, FNITP: past Assistant Executive Secretary, NITP
- Tpl. Olajide S. Babanola – MNITP: Acting Executive Secretary, NITP
- Tpl Bello Etsu Abubakar, MNIP: past National Chairman Young Planners Forum, NITP
- Tpl Ibrahim Raliyat Wushishi, Member YPF, NITP