Imo Housing MD Tasks Town Planners On Owerri Master Plan
Town Planners and other professionals engaged in physical development in Imo State have been urged to preserve the integrity, aesthetic appeal, and esteemed heritage of the Owerri Master Plan.
The Managing Director of the Imo State Housing Corporation (ISHC), Barrister Raymond Ucheoma, FNITP, made the call during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Imo State chapter and his executive members.
Barr Ucheoma emphasized the importance of the Owerri Master Plan as a significant heritage and a monumental contribution to the “Built Environment” that must not be compromised or violated under any circumstances.
Barrister Ucheoma, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, highlighted the distinctiveness of the Owerri Master Plan, which has successfully integrated developments in both the Old and New Owerri as a Twin City for over 40 years.
This plan preserves the unique characteristics of the old city while promoting expansive modernization in the new, attracting widespread interest nationwide.
He commended Town Planners for their efforts in maintaining the Master Plan for over four decades and emphasized the need for continued vigilance to prevent substandard practices and infractions in development projects.
Barrister Ucheoma also encouraged the Institute to express gratitude to Governor Uzodimma for appointing a professional to lead the Imo State Housing Corporation.
He appealed for collaboration with the Corporation to address the issue of exorbitant rents in Owerri, aiming to make housing more affordable for residents.
He acknowledged the significant housing deficit in Owerri, which is more severe than commonly perceived, and suggested that it could be alleviated by encouraging individuals to build their own homes through enabling policies.
As a member of the planning profession, the Managing Director assured the planners that under his leadership, the Corporation would continue to enforce professional standards in the housing sector in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, and other relevant bodies.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Imo State Chapter, TPL Austin Ugoh Ukanwa, praised the Corporation as a key player in maintaining the Owerri Master Plan and other plans across the state.
He expressed concern about the prevalence of substandard estate developments in the State due to the involvement of unqualified individuals who produce plans lacking standard infrastructure and amenities.
He urged the Corporation to blacklist such entities.
Ukanwa expressed the Institute’s eagerness to collaborate with the Housing Corporation to address the housing deficit in Imo State and advocated for policies to enhance housing supply for various land uses, particularly for artisans who establish themselves indiscriminately within residential areas.
