TOWN PLANNERS COUNCIL INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS – Appeals to Gov. Emmanuel to Sign Phys. Planning Acts into Law

Akwa Ibom State Representative in the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), TPL. Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio has appealed to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to give his assent to the Physical Planning Law recently enacted by Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The Council Representative made the call during the 33rd Induction and Award Ceremony held on Monday August, 17th, 2020 at Nigerian Institute of Town Planners’ secretariat at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Mr. Akpabio described the passage of the Physical Planning Bill into law as watershed in history considering its importance in the development process of any state. The University Don explained that series of anomalies which have occurred in the course of developmental forge of the state would be addressed to give breather to the physical space through checking of inappropriate siting and realignment of infrastructures in the physical space of the state. He said the law, when assented to, by the State Governor will improve the revenue base of the state maximally through registration and approval of development plans; betterment, and other related physical planning documents. According to Mr. Ufot-Akpabio, all these are in addition to revenue derived from levies on defaulters in both urban and rural areas of the state. The Council Representative in Akwa Ibom State charged the new inductees to be worthy ambassadors of the profession through exhibition of good conduct at all times.

Earlier in his inaugural address, the President of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, TPL. Isyaku Muhtar Kura who was represented on the occasion by Akwa Ibom State Representative in Council, Tpl. Akpabio Ufot Akpabio, congratulated the newly inducted members for complying with all the procedures as contained in the law establishing the Town Planning body. He described the induction ceremony as essential and statutory function aimed at sustaining and broadening the professional knowledge as well as technical skills required for improved capacity throughout their professional working life and interaction with the outside world. Mr. Kura admonished the inductees to imbibe the DOS and DON’TS of the profession pointing out that the public holds them in trust especially in their exhibition of ethical and moral standard as regard the practice of the profession.

In his goodwill message to the newly inductees, the National President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, TPL. Lekwa Ezutah, FNITP, commended the inductees for their patience and diligence in going through the induction processes. He however drew the attention of the inductees to the fact that, having been inducted, they have henceforth roped themselves into the exercise of franchise within the boundaries of the laws, rules and regulations of the profession saying, they owe the public and the Council the duties of honesty, probity and diligent execution of professional practices.

Resource person in his paper made available to 9News Nigeria which titled was: Town Planners Ethics: From the Standpoint of Law, to mark the occasion, the immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Aniekan Akpan stressed the need for Town Planners to be conscious of every dealing entered into, with clients in the course of doing transactions. He maintained that law remains sacrosanct and the rallying point of every transaction if the reputation of the council is to be protected. He urged the new inductees to protect themselves and the Council by adhering strictly to the provisions of the law covering the profession.

Also speaking, the South – South Representative of Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Bldr. Bassey Amba described Urban and Regional Planning as the bedrock upon which all other professions stand in the Built environment. He charged the new inductees to remain focused at all time to enable them leave durable legacies in the discharge of their duties.

High point of the occasion was taking of ‘Oath of Allegiance’ administered by the secretary of Civil Liberty Organization, Barr. Chris Essien, soon after the fourteen new members were licensed to practise in the profession. Certificates and Awards were also given to the deserving inductees.

Several dignitaries including the Commander, 2nd Brigade Command, Brig. Gen. FU Mijinyawa, who was represented on the occasion by the Garrison Commander, Idoro, Lt. Col. AC Okon, and the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources who was also represented on the occasion by the director of Town and Country Planning , Mr. Aniekan Akpan. The occasion was largely described by participants as very colourful.