Just in: How Fashola plans to reduce traffic and overcrowding in the country

– The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola attended the induction ceremont of Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC)

– He said problems of overcrowding and traffic congestion in the country have to be tackled

– Fashola said his ministry had been engaging in preparation of fiscal development plans to guide development in the country

The minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, has challenged town planners to demonstrate a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties to tackle problems of overcrowding and traffic congestion.

He said this at the 29th induction ceremony of 321 inductees, organised by the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) on Thursday in Abuja.

He further said a high sense of professionalism was required to tackle other attendant problems of urbanisation like substandard housing and slum development among others.

“Permit me to express a concern on the need for the council to come to terms with global progress in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and geographical information system.

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“And  bring this to bear on the training of your members to attain global competiveness.

“At this point of our national development, there is a need for high quality professionals to address the rising spate of urbanisation that is currently being experienced in the country  with its attendant problems.

“In addition, these challenges are compounded  by climate change, insecurity and poverty. It is in  realization of this that my ministry is currently repositioning  the professional skills of over 110 TOPREC registered professionals in its workforce to enhance service delivery,’’ he said.

The minister said  in line with the change mantra of the  federal government to ensure sustainable development, the ministry had been engaging in preparation of fiscal development plans to guide development in the country.

He added that the ministry over the years, had engaged the services of accredited TOPREC town planning consultants to prepare development plan for selected cities across the country.

The minister said reports from the consultations would  provide veritable inputs into the preparation of the first national fiscal development plan for Nigeria.

He congratulated the newly registered town planners for being inducted into TOPREC.

“I want to congratulate the inductees for being found worthy. I see your induction as a call to professionalism and duty to your fatherland.

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“By this you are expected to conduct yourselves with high sense of discipline and  continuously update yourselves in principles, practice, ethics and technology to meet international best practices in professional and contemporary issues.

“I wish to commend TOPREC for their efforts at consistently ensuring that professionals with high standards are constantly produced.

“They are produced to carry  on the practice on urban and regional planning in this country, through constant review of the curricular  for the education and training of town planners.

“TOPREC has supported many development initiatives of the federal government which are well appreciated,’’ he said.

Fashola pledged the commitment of the ministry in collaborating with TOPREC to improving  human settlement in the country.

Recall that the former Lagos state governor urged the Nigerian Army to obey the state road traffic rules, saying since roads are shared assets, everyone is expected play their roles in managing them.

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