(FLOWERBUDSNEWS) Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger State, on Wednesday inaugurated a 30-man technical support team for the preparation of the state urban policy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the terms of reference of the team include to review and validate the urban diagnostic report, draft state urban policy and state’s smart city strategy and support the policy preparation process.
He said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of monitoring effectively the process of preparation and validation of the State Urban Development Policy (SUP).
Bello was represented by Alhaji Ahmed Matane, the Secretary to the State Government, who is also the Chairman of the team.
The team was also to ensure that the resources of the state, especially land for urban development was efficiently and effectively utilised.
Bello reiterated that his administration was committed to ensuring the development of human settlements in the state in a holistic, comprehensive and integrated manner.
He said that the committee was saddled with the responsibility of supporting the policy preparation process through the sensitisation of stakeholders and groups.
“It will also review the progress and provide guidance with regards to the next steps for the SUP process,” he said.
The governor, however, said that the policy, which was initiated with the aim of ensuring the development of the human settlement sector of the state, would warrant the full participation of the people.
He charged members of the team to be diligent in the discharge of their responsibility, adding that government was committed to ensuring the success of the policy.
Alhaji Mustapha Zubairu, the Secretary of the team said that the SUP would help develop the state, adding that there was need for a dichotomy between the government and the people for the policy to come to reality.
Zubairu said that the city of Minna was expanding, hence the need for the adoption of the development of urban policy in the state.
He commended the state government for funding the implementation of the policy and called on the people of the state to work with government for the success of the policy.
Mr Emmanuel Adeleke, an expert in Urban Development from the UN Habitat said that Africa was the fastest growing continent, hence the need to have a well planned environment.
He said that Niger State was the only state that has taken the step to adopt urban policy. (NAN)
