Concerned government agencies in Ogun State responsible for the proposed law on administration of physical planning, urban development and building production management have been challenged to always consider and reflect the uniqueness of the various communities and status of residents, especially low income earners in the new law, when eventually passed and assented by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, threw the challenge, while declaring open stakeholders’ fora on H.B. No. 061/OG/2021- The Ogun State Administration of Physical Planning, Urban Development, Slum Regeneration and Building Production Management Law, 2021 and H.B. No. 062/OG/2021- The Ogun State Residents Registration Agency and the Registration of Ogun State residents Law 2021 at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Oluomo stressed that the State remained a developing entity, that needed to accommodate more developmental projects including investment opportunities in preparation for the status of a smart city and would have to consider transiting its expansion and developmental initiatives on the people with human face. 

Stakeholders, who contributed to the proposed physical planning law, included State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL. Tunji Odunlami, representatives of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Arch. Adekoyejo Jolaosho, TPL B.A Dairo, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), TPL B.A Dairo, representing the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Dr. Ahmed Apampa, Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineer (NSE), Engr. Kolawole Olonade, Registrar, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Peter Kuroshi amongst others. They lauded the State Assembly for its ingenuity for enacting an enabling law to regulate the activities in the built sector. 

The stakeholders appreciated the coordinating role of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for the prior engagement of all concerned professionals at the draft stage of the bill, while seeking a review of timeframe for building development, relevant provision for the maintenance of building structures and specification of responsibilities for each building related professionals to checkmate quackery in the industry.

In his opening speech on the State Resident Registration Agency, the Speaker underscored the essence of proper planning and accurate database, noting that the security challenges bedeviling the nation was as a result of lack of proper means of identification for the residents which needed to be addressed.

He submitted that the Assembly was determined to ensure the speedy passage of the bill in collaboration with the executive towards ensuring adequate planning for the teeming populace, while requesting for a temporary resident’s permit to allow for data capturing of short-term residents, especially corps members and students of higher institutions.

In their remarks, the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Odunlami, Director of Community Development in the State Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives, Mudasiru Oriola and a concerned stakeholder, TPL. Francis Oyekunle, appreciated the intention of the State government in proposing the bill, while stressing the need to consider the usage of the data gathered for developmental purposes. They added that Community Development Associations should be saddled with the responsibility of verifying and presenting community residents for registration.