The Executive Governor of Taraba State, TPL Chief Darius Ishaku; Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mohammed Bello; and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola will on Tuesday November 8, storm the 53rd annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), at the international conference center, Abuja.
The event which will run through November 7 to 11, aims to improve the institute’s awareness mechanisms in order to prioritise planning, promote socio-economic development, peace, and national security.
The conference will shine a light on issues concerning urban security and physical planning by bringing together professionals and relevant stakeholders from within and outside the built sector for a deep introspection and dissection of the issues at hand, with the goal of developing a comprehensive and inclusive framework for the promotion of feasible urban planning, as a first step toward building a safe nation free of insecurity and developmental challenges.
According to the Chairman, planning committee of the event, TPL. Nathaniel Atebije, the conference will avail participants, most especially members of the institute information on proper designing, especially as pertaining to making use of planning as a source of minimizing insecurity in urban areas.
He added that special sessions will be organized for estate developers to get equipped on how to package their project designs and building approvals, with the view to rid urban settlements of building collapse nightmares.
“As for non-members, the conference offers a great platform to network, link up with prospective customers, and build healthy business relationships, i.e people who can subscribe to their products like estate developers. Manufacturers, CEOs, among others.
“Another session tagged ‘Product Launch’ will be organized for marketers and manufacturers to display their various products while also revealing their products’ economic importance and how they are useful for urban development and security”, he said.
Atebije expressed optimism about the event saying, “participants at the end of the conference are expected to have gained a shared understanding of physical planning as a major driver of socioeconomic development in Nigeria; equipped with techniques of creating and promoting an enabling environment for effective urban and physical planning; and agree on the role of stakeholders in developing tactical solutions to urban insecurity and other related issues.
