NTDA Calls For Collaboration with ATOPCON
The New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) has called for synergy and collaboration between the Agency and the Association of Town Planning Consultants Lagos State Chapter (ATOPCON) in the development of a planning strategy for Lagos State.
The General Manager of NTDA, Tpl. Olakunle Aboyeji made the call during the courtesy visit by a delegation from ATOPCON to the Authority, adding that there is a need for the two organisations to work together to achieve the objectives and set goals of the State Government.
Aboyeji spoke extensively on the activities of the Authority which include the Review of Schemes; Development of Ito-Omu; Clearing of encroachments; Opening up new areas and Human Capacity Development among others.
The General Manager also raised the issue of the Authority not having copies of layout approval by private allottees and urged the association to look into how copies of the approvals can be warehoused at the Authority to guide development and capture what is on the ground on such allocations.
In his remark, the Chairman of ATOPCON, Tpl. Dr. David Olawale thanked the NTDA for the warm welcome, adding that the visit is about the development of planning and layout approval for a unified and robust Master plan for the State.
He opined that the State Government and the Association should see themselves as one when it comes to the development of the State.
In his words, “We are in it together and will continue to support the State Government and the Authority in whatever capacity it can to meet all set goals to achieve more in every aspect”.
He noted that the developed areas within the State still needed to be reviewed from time to time to accommodate the influx of people into Lagos State.
Tpl. Dr. Kola Olayiwola, RTP, FNITP, former Chairman of the Association also commended the State Government on the engagement of Consultants for the preparation of the Master Plan for the State through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD).
He opined that the review of layouts should be backed up with regular monitoring of NTDA schemes and that the Agency should also be part of such activities.
Olayiwola averred that the introduction of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) will help in providing infrastructural amenities in places where there is no provision for them to allow allottees to take possession and move in to develop their plots.
