Planners Baylesa CCDA collaborate to avert distortion of master-plan
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
As part of measures aimed at averting the distortion of Yenagoa master plan the Bayelsa Capital City Development Authority (CCDA) is collaborating with the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) to fast track the infrastructural, socio-economic developmental programmes of the state.
The move is coming at a time the state is in dire need of cogent and strategic town planning to reduce problems of flood and poor drainage systems which has led to submerging of many homes by flood during heavy downpour.
Speaking at the official inauguration of Bayelsa State chapter of NITP in Yenagoa, the chairman CCDA board, Dr. George Fente, noted that the regulatory agency is determined to curb the menace of illegal and unauthorized buildings, indiscriminate and reckless building of houses by public and private estate developers.
The CCDA in conjunction with the state government, he said, would commence the demolition of illegal and authorized buildings and other structures that tend to constitute nuisance and deface the Yenagoa city master plan.
Fente decried what he described as the indiscriminate building of houses across drainages by developers causing non-flow of water from the natural drainage to the creeks and Yenagoa Rivers.
He also accused civil engineers in the state of neglecting professionalism and jumping around for money.
The CCDA Board Chairman specifically called on all stakeholders in the building industry to partner and join the Bayelsa state government in her drive to restore the Yenagoa city master plan.
The National President of the NITP, Mallam Kabir Yari, charged the newly inaugurated chapter members to work with zeal and commitment in advocating the preparation and implementation of development plans that would be sustainable.
Yari urged them to be steadfast so that the people and government of the state will feel the impact of town planning at every nook and cranny of the state.
Also speaking, the chairman, Bayelsa state chapter of NITP, Mr. Ezekiel Gunn, called on the executive and legislative arms of the state government to take another look at the existing capital city development laws to reflect the principles of the Nigerian urban and regional planning laws and global best practice, noting that the planning schemes would halt the proliferation of slums in Yenagoa.
