To reduce the challenges associated with unplanned cities, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration will implement the state’s Urban and Regional Planning Law.

Governor Okowa gave the assurance when members of Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Delta State chapter led by its Chairman, Architect Andy Imafidon paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.

According to Governor Okowa, his administration was committed to ensuring safe and well planned towns and cities in the state, noting that issues of building collapse, poor land development control process and disorderly development should be a thing of the past in the state.

“We will look at the implementation of urban planning law so as to give bite to our land development control process and check poor construction work and issues of collapse buildings,” Governor Okowa said, stating that his administration would continue to partner with the NIA because the institute plays critical roles in the development process of towns and cities.

He reiterated, “you (NIA) are an important arm to the development of any nation, because you play important roles in the design of our buildings and cities; we will continue to count on you to play your roles so that we will have safer buildings.”

Governor Okowa at the occasion, disclosed that he was not in haste to appoint Permanent Secretaries, observing that while Permanent Secretaries must be appointed on merit, it should be done based on available vacancies.

Earlier, Arc. Imafidon said the visit was to intimate the governor of the planned hosting of the NIA National Council Meeting which will coincide with the organization of the 2016 Archi-Delta Expo, stating that the exposition will bring together building material manufacturers, developers, specifiers and stakeholders in the construction industry.

He commended Governor Okowa for recording a lot of successes in the construction sector despite the “current economic recession in the nation.”

Photo: Gov Okowa receiving a gift from Mr. Imafidon