The Lagos State Government has expressed its desire to partner the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, on the capacity development of Town Planning Officers in its employ.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide made this known recently in Alausa during a courtesy visit to the ministry by the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tpl. Nathaniel Atebije.
The Commissioner said that one of the ways to enhance the performance of staff is through training and retraining and that the collaboration of NITP would be quite instructive in this regard.
He emphasised that investing in human capital would enhance employee’s exposure and propel the development of the state, adding that the 21st-century Lagos required dexterity with modern planning tools.
His words: “ For us to be relevant, we must be ready for change, and this is best done through adequate capacity enhancement. We must challenge ourselves to do the same thing in different ways that will produce the desired best results. “
READ ALSO: Nigerian Engineer’s Solar Powered ‘Keke’ Captures US Attention
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire said that the visit of NITP was timely as it came at the time when the Office was in the process of completing the review of Alimosho Model City Plan, which is currently at the public display stage while the preparation of the Lagos Island Model City Plan would soon reach the final stakeholders meeting stage.
The National President, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Tpl. Nathaniel Atebije said that the institute was aware of the efforts of the State Government towards the sustainability of the built environment , particularly the engagement of Town Planners and other professionals in recent times, while calling on State Government to recruit more Town Planners and other related professionals to enhance the implementation of development plans.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Cities Initiative: Beyond Housing, Toward Comprehensive Development
He disclosed that the Institute was very much ready to support the training needs of the Ministry, saying that its rich training manual was quite instructive.
With the NITP president was a former commissioner and immediate past president Tpl Toy in Ayinde