From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Following the devastating effect of flooding across most states of the federation, the federal government, yesterday, urged the Town Planners Registration Council (TOPREC) to enforce the town planning law so as to avoid the impending epidemic which may arise as a result flooding.
Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola who said this at the inauguration of the council in Abuja, explained that the town planners should enforce the law prohibiting the erection of structures along the flood plain adding that if people should avoid erosion-prone areas, global epidemic would be avoided.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali reminded the council that having a
well-disciplined and adequately regulated professionals in the built environment, will, in no small measure, improve the quality of output of the professionals and invariably contribute to the quality of the environment, construction, infrastructure and national development.
“Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), is a critical agency of government under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing with the statutory mandate to regulate and control the practice of the profession of physical planning in all its aspects and ramifications in Nigeria which includes determining who are town planners, the knowledge and skills required for registration of persons seeking to become members of the profession of town planning” he said.
Responding, the president of TOPREC, Isyaku Kura used the occasion to request that the council be included in the national budget as the subvention from the ministry is no longer enough.
“Let me also use this opportunity to plead with the Minister on behalf of council and other regulatory bodies (under housing) in the built environment to please look into our cry and enroll us into national budget as the role of the council is becoming more elaborate considering contemporary environmental issues. The subvention from the ministry is no longer enough to take care of some of our statutory functions” he noted.