In their resolve to ensure habitable environment which will benefit the cities and inhabitants in Abia State, the Chapter Chairman of Abia Town Planners, Town Planner Stephen Chukwudi Nwazue is advising developers and the general public not to listen to any Agency that requests documents like Land Use Plan Analysis Report or building plan approval apart from the Town Planning Authorities who have the right to demand such.
Town Planner Nwazue said this advise has become imperative following reports by some inhabitants of Aba and Umuahia that some persons allegedly visit people’s homes/building sites requesting that they present in demand, their Land Use Plan Analysis Report, stating that it is only the exclusive reserve of the Town Planning Authorities to make such demand, as they control development in the State.
Tpl Nwazue who disclosed this at the weekend while interacting with newsmen on the backdrop of barrage of reports received by the Institute from some residents especially in Aba, said the impostors also go to the extent of issuing threats if those documents were not provided, revealing that the Planning Authority does not operate in that manner as they always encourage developers to visit their offices located in each of the 17 LGAs of the State.
He said it is regrettable that some Agencies of Government have left their sole responsibilities of checking decadence in other sectors of Abia economy, allowing it to overlap with that of Town Planning Authorities who have the exclusive reserve of monitoring and ensuring that buildings or sites in Abia conform to the laid down standard which every developer must adhere to before erecting building in any site.
Tpl Nwazue revealed that the Town Planning Authorities are in all the LGAs of Abia State, urging the public to deal directly with them than transacting business with those that claim to be Agents working for the government but end up swindling them and enriching their pockets.
He re-emphasized that the Planning Authority does not compromise the building standards as they are poised to ensure that cities in Abia State boast of good aesthetics that will be at par with cities like Port Harcourt, Uyo among others.
Tpl Nwazue, said those cities in Nigeria with good aesthetics did not reach the status they enjoy today in an hurry, maintaining that it took constant and well articulated plan before it was achieved, expressing optimism that cities in Abia State particularly Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia can wear good look if all work collaboratively along this line.
