By Chukwuka Ugokwe
Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bar Chijioke Ojukwu, has announced plans to simplify the process of obtaining building permit through strategic partnership with professional bodies in the sector.
The Commissioner made this disclosure during an engagement meeting with building professionals held in his office on Tuesday, 16 June.
The meeting brought together stakeholders in the building sector including Civil and Structural Engineers, Architects, Town Planners, Builders, and Surveyors.
At the meeting, he emphasized that streamlining building approval processes could significantly ease the burden on developers, discourage exploitation and payment into private accounts.
“We are of the view that statutory fees the basis of assessment ought to be re visited with a view to make it more friendly and easily determined by the applicants”
” So by the time we simplify the process and make it easily accessible, it means every applicant will have a fair idea and make a calculation of value of what he is to pay into government coffers”
While acknowledging that the initiative would deliver inclusive and sustainable outcomes, he reiterated the need for enforcement to ensure compliance with physical planning laws.
According to him, strengthening regulatory framework, partnerships will help reduce malpractices and quackery in the building sector.
He called for engagement of licensed professionals in construction towards ending ugly trend of building collapse in the state.
Contributing, the Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Architects, Anambra State, Arc Michael Onuora, described the outcome of the meeting as impactful in addressing issues of approval processes, assessment, and quackery in the sector.
He expressed optimism that the pool of ideas generated would help in no small measure to chart the way forward.
On his part, Town Planner Emma Ifemedobe, underscored the importance of carrying every licensed professional in the building sector along to achieve the shared objective and called for an update of the UN Habitat master plan for state.
Engr Okey Nwosu, Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Onitsha branch, commended the Commissioner for staging the meeting, adding that effort must be made to ensure that only licensed professionals undertake building projects.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Bar Jessie Nwankwo, appreciated the team of professionals for responding to the invitation and making useful contributions that would facilitate realization of the desired goals.
