Housing Minister Reaffirms  Commitment To Slums Upgrade, Modernising Urban Landscape in Nigeria 

* Ministry to review the 1992 regional and urban development law for implementation 

* Collaboration with Regional Development Ministry to determine full implementation necessary 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma, PhD has reaffirmed the committement of the federal government to transforming Nigeria’s informal settlements into dignified, liveable communities, describing it as a priority of the present administration.

Engr. Darma made this commitment during a courtesy visit to his office by the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by its National President, Tpl. Dr. Ogbonna Chime, FNITP.

The Minister identified specific areas in Nigeria, such as Makoko in Lagos state, Gishiri in Abuja, some settlements in Kano and Port Harcourt that requires upgrading from slum conditions, pledging that the ministry’s forthcoming urban development policy would prioritise upgrading these areas to make them habitable for the people living there.

Acknowledging that a regional and urban development law enacted in 1992 has yet to be implemented, Minister Darma committed to thoroughly reviewing the law, noting that  collaboration with the Regional Development Ministry would be essential in determining how to achieve full implementation, He also invited the NITP to provide further guidance on the matter.

On encouraging the use of indigenous experts, the Minister reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to utilising indigenous consultants exclusively, describing this as a deliberate strategy to drive employment, transfer skills, and grow local capacity in the built environment sector. 

“The Ministry already trained individually about 2000 of them to get skills in the built environment, and these young people are all over Nigeria applying what they learnt”, he informed.

Addressing the challenge of replacing retired staff earlier mentioned by the guests from NITP, Engr. Darma called on professionals and public servants to embrace innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), noting that technology would increasingly shape the future of work.

He stressed that AI would not replace people who understand and effectively use technology, encouraging continuous learning and upskilling among professionals.

Responding to the funding request the Minister told the NITP and professional bodies to think outside the box and find ways and means that will keep them on stream as they are considered professionals.

Accordingly, Darma invited the Institute to submit further recommendations and professional input for consideration in the Ministry’s forthcoming strategic development plan.

On the invitation to the upcoming NITP 60th anniversary in October, the Minister offered to attend the event personally, hoping that the already scheduled political activities do not conflict with it. 

Earlier, the National President of the NITP, Tpl. Dr. Ogbonna Chime, told the minister that their visit was to formally welcome him to the Ministry and reaffirm the Institute’s readiness to work and support the Ministry in achieving its mandate.

He appealed to the Minister to sustain efforts towards the full implementation of the 1992 Urban and Regional Planning Law, describing it as critical to effective physical planning and urban development in the country.

Dr. Ogbonna also called for increased attention to urban development initiatives, engagement of indigenous town planning consultants for government projects, replacement of retired town planners and other built environment professionals in the Ministry, as well as improved funding for regulatory bodies in the sector to strengthen professional standards and reduce unemployment.

He further invited the Minister to the 60th anniversary celebration and 57th International Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners scheduled to hold in Lagos State, in October this year.