Illegal Development, Responsible For Urban Crisis In FCT : NITP

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners NITP has blamed the current urban crises in the Federal Capital Territory FCT on illegal developments , blocked drainages and
allocation of land without professional consultation..

The FCT Chairman of NITP Mrs Queen Philips who stated this during a combined commemoration of World Habitat Day and World Cities Day in Abuja said the only solution to address the current urban crises was for both government institutions and stakeholders to return to the Abuja Master Plan.

According to her, Abuja is under increasing pressure from population growth, inadequate infrastructure, informal settlement, climate-related stresses and conflicts over land use.

While attributing specific flood-prone areas like parts of Asokoro,Guzape and the Trademore to a disregard for planning layouts, Mrs Queen Philips said the professional bodies responsible for layouts are often sidelined by the elites in the FCT.

The FCT Chairman of NITP noted that the body is currently seeking audience with the Minister Nyeson Wike to offer professional advice on the restoration of the Abuja Master Plan.

She commended the massive infrastructure and road construction by the FCT minister believing that professional advice would complement His good work and check flooding and displacement of people from their communities.

Highlighting the timeliness of the 2025 themes: ‘Urban Crisis Response’ for World Habitat Day and ‘People-Centred Smart Cities’ for World Cities Day, Mrs Queen Philips
emphasised that a ‘smart city’ must be people-centred, saying technology should serve people, not drive exclusion.

“If there is anything that needs to be changed, can we make a recall to the designers of this layout and to the organization, and seek some advice”.

She revealed a key institutional failure, stating that the professional bodies responsible for layouts are often sidelined.

“We have sent our letters to seek an audience with the Minister of the FCT. We understand that he really wants to see the FCT that was planned initially; he wants to see the Master Plan restored. As much as we the professionals, the town planners, want to see the restoration of that master plan, we are trying to get across to him”.

The immediate past National President of NITP, Nathaniel Atebije, in a remark warned that the consequences of ignoring physical planning will hinder growth and development.

“I want to let everybody know that they should either buy into planning or we perish. That is the very, very dangerous thing that we are doing to ourselves. Therefore, we have to arrest this crisis and make our cities livable and sustainable”.

The event culminated in a novelty football match, symbolising a partnership between professional planners and youth groups.

The FCT Chairman of NITP declared the match open, expressing hope that the camaraderie would inspire “deeper reflection and action” towards solving the FCT’s urban challenges.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji