Institute of Town Planners to partner Edo on capacity building

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners says it is poised to partner with the Edo Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development for the capacity building of its personnel.

The state Chairman of the institute, Dr Hope Iyawe, said this on Monday in Benin when he led other members of the body on a visit to the ministry.

It was also gathered that Iyawe presented a proposal for the training of the ministry’s personnel to the Commissioner, Mrs Isoken Omo, during the visit.

He said that the training became necessary in order to drive the state government’s long and short term strategies in re-engineering the built environment.

He commended the commissioner for the robust relationship between the ministry and the institute.

According to him, the collaboration will help to strengthen the professional growth of town planners in the ministry and state at large.

In the proposal, the institute planned to create, deliver and develop a sustainable built urban and rural environment in Edo.

Iyawe said that the measure would make the ministry a catalyst for a civilised urban living while enhancing the quality of rural spaces through proper planning.

In response, the commissioner thanked the institute for coming up with the proposal and highlighted specific areas of need for professionals in the ministry.

Omo recommended an adjustment in the proposal to fit into the specific areas of needs of town planners in the ministry.

She said that the areas included bringing the town planners up to date with current trends in professional development, particularly the 95 per cent technology-driven approach to work input.

She decried what she called “the knowledge gap” in the conduct of town planners.

She said, “it is either a misnomer or outright greed for a town planner to assume the duties of an engineer, land surveyor and architect.

(NAN)