WHY THE EXCLUSION OF NITP IN NATIONAL CONFERENCE? INTRODUCTION National Conference is a gathering of representatives of social, cultural, political, religious, economic, professional, academic, trading and labour groups, where challenges facing a nation are discussed and consensual solutions are proffered. It is a gathering that has various interest groups represented. Nigeria, as it is today is a product or handcraft of the colonial masters, when Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914 to serve the economic interest of the colonialists. Since the forced amalgamation in 1914, Nigeria has been facing a myriad of problems occasioned by the structural imbalances in the union. Therefore, each successive government in the country has been trying to convene a conference under whatever name, where the county’s problems would discussed and sorted out. The administration of Olusegun Obasanjo conducted a conference in 2005, but was marred by the inclusion of third term agenda by Obasanjo’s cohorts. For so many reasons, ranging from marginalization, resource control, religious unrest, pseudo-federalism, and perhaps national population, most individuals and groups in the country have been agitating for a national conference. Jonathan’s administration in its wisdom, either for national or political personal interests decided to convene a national conference by constituting a National Confab Committee headed by Senator Femi Okunrounmu. On 30th January 2014, the Federal Government announced the modalities for the 2014 National Conference, and the details of the representatives/delegates to the National Conference were released. And it is the conspicuous exclusion of professional bodies that deal with the planning of land use and spatial distribution and geographical analysis of the land use in Nigeria that is generating a hot interest. The bodies are Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON). Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) was inaugurated on 5th September 1966, when its pioneer members held its first meeting in Lagos. NITP is Nigerias leading planning body for spatial, sustainable, integrative and inclusive planning. The body exists to advance the science and art of planning for the benefit of the public. Formal recognition was given to the profession of Town and Country Planning in Nigeria with the promulgation of Town Planners (Registration etc) Decree No.3 of 1988. RELEVANCE OF TOWN PLANNERS AND GIS EXPERTS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND AS DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE The relevance of Town and Country Planners and GIS experts to national development cannot be overemphasized. Sound economic planning and development, without commensurate sound physical planning and development will always lead to poverty aggravation, infrastructural overstretching, haphazard development, environmental degradation, crime and other social vices. Therefore, the involvement and active participation of Town Planners and GIS experts is imperative to the national economic planning and development, for the sake of environmental sustainability. Physical planning is a tool for socioeconomic development of any nation, and political development of a nation is a function of socioeconomic development of that nation. Knowledge of spatial location and distribution of national resources and infrastructure is function of robust GIS database. Therefore, I see no reason why NITP and GEOSON should be relegated when it comes to the discussion on the future of Nigeria. By such exclusion, it is glaring that the country is not ready to be proactive in matters of national planning and development. All agitations for political power in Nigeria are rooted in the development, appropriation, allocation, and sharing of the nations natural wealth. And the nations natural wealth is personified or represented in human capacity, land and all its resources. If the experts in the planning of use of the land and spatial distribution and location of these natural wealth of our nation are conspicuously excluded from the national confab; a confab that is hoped to correct the political and economic structural imbalances in Nigeria, it is therefore an understatement to state that the country is not ready yet to get out of its present doldrums. NIESV (Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers) and NIS (Nigeria Institution of Surveyors) cannot adequately represent the interests of Town Planners and GIS experts respectively and contribute effectively on the issues of land use planning and geographical analysis of the nation’s natural resources. Without mincing words, the exclusion of NITP from the national confab is an indication of low recognition of the position of Town Planners as stakeholders in the nations social, economic, and political development drive. That singular act of the Federal government is also an indication of the hierarchy of NITP in APBN and government circle. The deed has been done, and it is now left for the leadership of NITP at all levels in particulars and members of the Institute in general to realize the fact that physical planning itself is political in nature; and political planning and positioning are desirable in the Institute in order to be accorded more national recognition and respect. CONCLUSION I would suggest that the Institute should review its aim and objectives so that it will be more encompassing. As it is, only items (a) and (b) of the aim and objectives of the Institute deal with the concern for the society and environment. I hope it would not be out of place if the following can be included in the Institute’s Aim and Objectives in the Constitution: a. To protect the interests of not only members of the Institute, but the environment and society in general in the planning and implementation of government urban and regional planning policies in Nigeria. b. To submit a position paper to the government on any policy, issue or matter concerning land use planning and management in Nigeria. In addition, I would suggest that the Institute should have the courage to challenge the government or individual who contravenes any of the tenets of NIGERIAN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING ACT Decree No 88 of 1992. However, that can be effectively done only and when the Institute’s Constitution is reviewed to include the suggested in its aim and objectives. For instance, it is not right for the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah to contemplate the development of airport cities (aerotropolis) project in Abuja, without seeking the opinion of relevant professional bodies, especially the NITP in Nigeria. The solace I have is that the Institute has in its fold illustrious and influential members who have the political connection, professional and academic wherewithal to project the Institute to a greater height and ensure its national recognition and respect. WHY THE EXCLUSION OF NITP IN NATIONAL CONFERENCE? INTRODUCTION National Conference is a gathering of representatives of social, cultural, political, religious, economic, professional, academic, trading and labour groups, where challenges facing a nation are discussed and consensual solutions are proffered. It is a gathering that has various interest groups represented. Nigeria, as it is today is a product or handcraft of the colonial masters, when Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated in 1914 to serve the economic interest of the colonialists. Since the forced amalgamation in 1914, Nigeria has been facing a myriad of problems occasioned by the structural imbalances in the union. Therefore, each successive government in the country has been trying to convene a conference under whatever name, where the county’s problems would discussed and sorted out. The administration of Olusegun Obasanjo conducted a conference in 2005, but was marred by the inclusion of third term agenda by Obasanjo’s cohorts. For so many reasons, ranging from marginalization, resource control, religious unrest, pseudo-federalism, and perhaps national population, most individuals and groups in the country have been agitating for a national conference. Jonathan’s administration in its wisdom, either for national or political personal interests decided to convene a national conference by constituting a National Confab Committee headed by Senator Femi Okunrounmu. On 30th January 2014, the Federal Government announced the modalities for the 2014 National Conference, and the details of the representatives/delegates to the National Conference were released. And it is the conspicuous exclusion of professional bodies that deal with the planning of land use and spatial distribution and geographical analysis of the land use in Nigeria that is generating a hot interest. The bodies are Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) and Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON). Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) was inaugurated on 5th September 1966, when its pioneer members held its first meeting in Lagos. NITP is Nigerias leading planning body for spatial, sustainable, integrative and inclusive planning. The body exists to advance the science and art of planning for the benefit of the public. Formal recognition was given to the profession of Town and Country Planning in Nigeria with the promulgation of Town Planners (Registration etc) Decree No.3 of 1988. RELEVANCE OF TOWN PLANNERS AND GIS EXPERTS TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND AS DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE The relevance of Town and Country Planners and GIS experts to national development cannot be overemphasized. Sound economic planning and development, without commensurate sound physical planning and development will always lead to poverty aggravation, infrastructural overstretching, haphazard development, environmental degradation, crime and other social vices. Therefore, the involvement and active participation of Town Planners and GIS experts is imperative to the national economic planning and development, for the sake of environmental sustainability. Physical planning is a tool for socioeconomic development of any nation, and political development of a nation is a function of socioeconomic development of that nation. Knowledge of spatial location and distribution of national resources and infrastructure is function of robust GIS database. Therefore, I see no reason why NITP and GEOSON should be relegated when it comes to the discussion on the future of Nigeria. By such exclusion, it is glaring that the country is not ready to be proactive in matters of national planning and development. All agitations for political power in Nigeria are rooted in the development, appropriation, allocation, and sharing of the nations natural wealth. And the nations natural wealth is personified or represented in human capacity, land and all its resources. If the experts in the planning of use of the land and spatial distribution and location of these natural wealth of our nation are conspicuously excluded from the national confab; a confab that is hoped to correct the political and economic structural imbalances in Nigeria, it is therefore an understatement to state that the country is not ready yet to get out of its present doldrums. NIESV (Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers) and NIS (Nigeria Institution of Surveyors) cannot adequately represent the interests of Town Planners and GIS experts respectively and contribute effectively on the issues of land use planning and geographical analysis of the nation’s natural resources. Without mincing words, the exclusion of NITP from the national confab is an indication of low recognition of the position of Town Planners as stakeholders in the nations social, economic, and political development drive. That singular act of the Federal government is also an indication of the hierarchy of NITP in APBN and government circle. The deed has been done, and it is now left for the leadership of NITP at all levels in particulars and members of the Institute in general to realize the fact that physical planning itself is political in nature; and political planning and positioning are desirable in the Institute in order to be accorded more national recognition and respect. CONCLUSION I would suggest that the Institute should review its aim and objectives so that it will be more encompassing. As it is, only items (a) and (b) of the aim and objectives of the Institute deal with the concern for the society and environment. I hope it would not be out of place if the following can be included in the Institute’s Aim and Objectives in the Constitution: a. To protect the interests of not only members of the Institute, but the environment and society in general in the planning and implementation of government urban and regional planning policies in Nigeria. b. To submit a position paper to the government on any policy, issue or matter concerning land use planning and management in Nigeria. In addition, I would suggest that the Institute should have the courage to challenge the government or individual who contravenes any of the tenets of NIGERIAN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING ACT Decree No 88 of 1992. However, that can be effectively done only and when the Institute’s Constitution is reviewed to include the suggested in its aim and objectives. For instance, it is not right for the Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah to contemplate the development of airport cities (aerotropolis) project in Abuja, without seeking the opinion of relevant professional bodies, especially the NITP in Nigeria. The solace I have is that the Institute has in its fold illustrious and influential members who have the political connection, professional and academic wherewithal to project the Institute to a greater height and ensure its national recognition and respect.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 17:40:59 +0000
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