AS part of constitutional amendments that will strengthen physical planning and regional development, Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has urged the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to intensify its engagement with the National Assembly.
According to him, the legislative reforms are necessary to improve coordinated planning and support balanced national development.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the NITP in Abuja, the minister urged the institute to advocate the transfer of town planning from the residual legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.
It is believed that the proposed constitutional amendment will strengthen urban planning, improve land use management, and support more sustainable infrastructure and housing development across the country.
According to him, such a constitutional amendment will provide a stronger legal framework for effective physical planning and regional development across the country.
Momoh also responded to the institute’s request for increased recruitment of professional town planners into the federal civil service, explaining that such decisions fall under the responsibility of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
He directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to formally document the manpower needs and forward them to the appropriate authorities for consideration during future recruitment exercises.
The minister further encouraged town planning consultants to register with relevant federal agencies to improve their eligibility for consultancy opportunities.