The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has stated that court orders mandating developers to build estates in flood-prone areas have led to loss of lives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
NITP National President, Nathaniel Atebije, during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, appealed to judges to prioritize human safety when granting orders for inconsistent developments.
Atebije emphasized, “Actions designed to solve problems impeded by court orders should not come at the expense of human lives. What value do we place on human lives as a nation? Can the value of that whole estate be equated to the lives lost? We hereby call on judges to consider the safety of human lives when granting orders to retain inconsistent developments.”
He highlighted the need for continuous engagement with various stakeholders in human settlements. “No one can give what he does not have. For judges, and anyone for that matter, to make decisions favorable to environmental sustainability, they must be enlightened about physical planning and human settlements development.”
Atebije also urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take decisive action to tackle the annual flood challenges in the FCT. He called on the federal and state governments to commit to the preparation and implementation of physical development plans.
“Physical planning is not done in the head of any chief executive; it is done by qualified urban and regional planners, who are available to contribute to the development of our dear nation. The Federal Capital Territory needs to take decisive measures on disaster preparedness and management. Poor drainage systems have made the location flood-prone and vulnerable during the rainy season.”
He stressed the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks for physical planning and engaging professional consultants to prepare plans. He also called for massive employment of town planners and allied professionals to ensure effective implementation of development plans.
“Government must demonstrate strong political will to fund plan preparation, capacity building, and enact enabling planning laws to ensure coordination of the built environment. Taking immediate action on this matter will be an undeniable gain for our democracy.”
Atebije underscored the necessity for Nigeria to vigorously pursue and practice sustainable development concepts and principles to address environmental challenges and promote resilience.
“We must report realistic efforts and steps taken to implement treaties signed with other nations that will be showcased during the forthcoming World Urban Forum.”
He also called on the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and other stakeholders to prepare for a robust presentation in Egypt in November 2024, where all nations will gather to review their progress in achieving sustainable development goals.
