Abia, UNHABITAT sign MOU on cities structure plan

Physical Planning

to achieve faster socio-economic growth and sustainable human settlements development,

Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UN- HABITAT for the preparation and implementation of Structure Plans for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia towns.

Under the programme, the state will be supported with technical advisory services that would enable it plan ahead of development in order to manage rapid urban growth and capacity building of institutions, agencies and train officials involved to enable them discharge their duties more effectively.

The State’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Suleman Ukandu led an official delegation to Nairobi Kenya for the signing of the MOU. Others Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Joy Ezinwanyi Nwakanma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development/president of the Nigerian Institution of Town Planners, Chief Lekwa Ezuta and the Director of Town Planning in the Ministry, Dr. Lawson Ananaba.

While the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development signed on behalf of the State Government, the UN-HABITAT Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Naison MutizwaMangiza signed for the UNHABITAT.

The signing ceremony of the MOU had in attendance the Nigerian High Commission to Kenya and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN-HABITAT, Ambassador Sheidu Omeiza Momoh and the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka said that prior to signing the MOU, the governor had two months ago hosted the last meeting with the parties at the Abia State Governor’s Lodge at Abuja.

He stated that by signing this agreement, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT) would collaborate with the State Government in preparing and implementing Structure Plans that will guide the sustainable growth of Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and other urban centres in the State.