Urban Development Validation: A Vital Milestone – El-Yakub

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub has said that the on-going   National Validation Workshop on the Review of the 2012 Urban Development Policy in Abuja is a vital milestone  to revolutionize Nigeria’s human settlement development sector.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of  a 3 – day  National Validation Workshop on the Review of the 2012 National Urban Development Policy holding in Abuja.

EL – Yakub noted that the workshop represents a vital landmark towards the conclusion of the process of producing a revitalized policy document that would be widely acceptable and fully applicable to all levels of government and non-government stakeholders to ensure a vibrant urban development across Nigeria.

He added that this review is designed to concretize the different inputs, fill any gaps, and jointly agree on the last steps towards launching it.

”As you are all aware, this workshop represents a vital milestone towards the conclusion of the process of producing a revitalized policy document that would be widely acceptable and fully applicable to all levels of government and non-government stakeholders to ensure vibrant urban development across Nigeria. To get this far, we have held two major meetings which has now enhanced a vastly improved Drafted of a New National Urban Development Policy.

Already, this draft has received inputs from varied categories of stakeholders and had also been subjected to very meticulous reviews by subject experts at both local and international spheres. The aim of this Validation Workshop therefore is to concretize the different inputs, fill any gaps, and jointly agree on the  last steps towards launching it,” he said.

The Minister of State rated the workshop high as it offers the nation a chance to deliver the vision loudly enunciated in the new draft policy which is more focused on how to do things right from now on as the shortcomings of the past policy had been carefully identified and addressed in the new policy drafted.

“Indeed, we are here confronted with a chance to deliver the vision loudly enunciated in the preamble to this new draft policy, i.e. the vision ‘to do things differently’ from now on. From the briefings I received and in my personal assessment, the 2012 Policy did not deliver adequately on its goals and objectives. However, “I am pleased to announce to you that the reasons for the unfortunate result of the past have been carefully identified and addressed in this fresh attempt. I am an optimist and I firmly believe we are on the path to transforming Nigeria’s human settlements sector into a potent driver of overall national development.  I have never doubted that Nigeria will be great again,” he said.

El – Yakub revealed that the new draft policy recognizes the super structure provided in the 2012 policy, but offers a new approach in its contextualization, integrated several pertinent contemporary issues and challenges in the 2012 policy but basically focused on harmonizing the national solutions with strategies and best practices offered in the latest global development agenda such as Safer City Strategy, African Union Agenda 2063, Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda.

He noted that the central interest of the Ministry is to use the workshop to perfect all necessary stakeholders’ engagements and obtain final feedbacks from all cherished players and interest groups in this sub sector.

The Minister of State appreciated the tireless efforts of all local and international stakeholders who have travelled with the ministry on the momentous journey of reviewing the 2012 National Urban Development Policy.  He specifically mentioned the UN-Habitat for all their valuable and technical guidance in the review of the policy to the cause of human settlement development in Nigeria

EL – Yakub encouraged all participants to bring in their various technical expertise and experience to bear to present a policy document that would spur urban settlement development that is inclusive, safe, resilient and suitable in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali ably represented by the Director Urban and Regional Development Department, TPL. Chike   Anikamadu welcomed everyone and on behalf of the ministry thanked all participants for the zeal shown so far along the process of reviewing the old policy document.  He wished everyone safe trip back home.

While delivering his  address, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, TPL. Nathaniel Atebije appreciated the Ministry for the bold step taken to review the policy which was long overdue since 2017 noting that urban areas   are the engines of growth and development of nations and that with the policy, avenue is provided to manage pressures in the urban space such as slum prevention, etc.

Speaking also was the representative of UN-Habitat, Amb. Akin Oyeteru who congratulated the organisers for the steadfast efforts to prepare an inclusive urban development policy which if achieved would respond to the contemporary challenges and take advantage of urbanization opportunities.

The UN-Habitat through its  regional office in Nigeria  pledged its readiness to support the journey for better urban future for all.

Present at the workshop were: the representatives of the President Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiv Gidari Wudil,   the President Quantity Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria, QS. Nuhu Graham.