Abuja: The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to enforce the Campus Master Plan (CMP) policies for universities and polytechnics. Dr. Ogbonna Chime, the NITP President, made the call while addressing a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Chime emphasized the importance of CMPs in guiding the development of educational institutions, ensuring a well-organized and functional campus layout. He highlighted the need for every higher institution of learning to have a master plan prepared for its orderly growth and development. Although the policy and its implementation regulations are in place, Chime stressed the necessity for NUC and NBTE to enforce these regulations with precision.
NITP expressed concern over the absence of this crucial physical guidance document, which has led to confusion in the appointment of directors of Physical Planning in various higher institutions. Traditionally, a consultant Town Planner is responsible for preparing master plans for universities, polytechnics, and Colleges of Education. Chime explained that once approved by the relevant town planning agency, the document controls the orderly physical growth and development of every campus.
The NITP president insisted that registered Town Planners should exclusively handle the implementation of these plans, as they are the most qualified professionals to oversee compliance. He argued that the appointment of directors of physical planning should be reserved for registered town planners to ensure that all provisions in the approved campus master plans are implemented without confusion.
Chime also pointed out the wrong approach by many state governments, which mistakenly equate Geographic Information System (GIS) with Urban and Regional Planning, Land Surveying, and Lands Departments in managing their land resources. He clarified that GIS is a means to an end, not an end in itself, and that the town planning, survey, and lands departments provide the raw materials necessary for GIS operations.
He emphasized that the head of any GIS unit should have a background in one of the three traditional departments to avoid conflicts of interest. Urban and regional planning, according to the president, plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic advancement of a nation.
Chime commended the Federal and various state governments for embracing urban and regional planning, citing the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the ratification of the New Urban Development Policy, and the creation of Regional Development Commissions across the country’s geopolitical zones. He also praised the governors of Lagos, Enugu, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory Minister for their decisive actions to implement provisions of urban and regional planning.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that NITP has initiated the NITP National Assembly Liaison Committee to engage the National Assembly on urban and regional planning issues in Nigeria. Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Committee and Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), pledged to advocate for policies promoting sustainable development, enhance the visibility of the NITP profession, and foster collaboration.