Kogi Govt to back up city structure plan with legislation

Kogi State Government says the city structure plans it is producing for four cites in the state is a document that will be made binding for successive administrations in the state when backed up by legislation.

Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada stated this in Dekina at the City consultations for State of Kogi Structure Plans Project held by the state government in conjunction with UN-Habitat, disclosed that the final document will be submitted to the state assembly for legislation.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said  the city structure plan would check the issues of mismatch in planning, called on people of Dekina  to painstakingly make vital contributions that will aid adequate planning for Dekina LGA for the next twenty years.

The state governor maintained that the city structure plan being planned for the four cities in the state, will not only aid urban planning, it will also aid in attracting funding and support from donor and support agencies towards the development of cities in the state.

Capt Wada commended the zeal and turnout by the people of Dekina to make their input towards the plan, said if left checked, the uncoordinated development will led to unemployment, decayed infrastructures , crime, and harpharzard development.

Capt Wada disclosed that the payment of the $1.3million by government as its counterparts funds to UN Habitat, underscored the importance his administration attaches to urbanization, urged the people to make sincere input into the planned document that will lead to the realization of the government's objectives.

Capt Wada commended the UN Habitat in its partnership that is geared towards providing a plan for cities in the state, assured that the sufficient skills gathered by the state will be deployed in producing a comprehensive plan for other areas in the state.

In a consultation overview, UN Habitat Regional Director for Africa, Prof Oyebanji Oyelaran Oyeyinka, expressed the commitment of the UN to developing cities in Kogi State, commended the Kogi State government for offering leadership for the success of developing well planned cities in the state.

Prof Oyebanji, described a plan involving the input of the people as one that is enduring, said the benefit of a city structure plan for cities will enable government and other agencies access easily information that will help in sustainable development of cities in the state.

In a welcome remarks, Prof Olugbemiro Jegede, Secretary to Government of Kogi State, said Dekina City consultation was geared towards allowing the people make input into future urbanization plan of the area, urged the people to take the advantage of the consultation to lay a solid foundation for the socio economic development of Dekina LGA.

In their separate goodwill message, Abubakar Abdullahi, Senator Representing the Eastern Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Nda Paddy, SSA1, Dekina LGA and the Ejeh of Dekina , HRH, Alh Usman Obaje, expressed delight that Dekina LGA was chosen among benefiting cities to be planed by the present administration in its urban renewal drive, promised the cooperation of people of Dekina LGA towards the realization of government's objectives.

While disclosing that Dekina LGA is one of the oldest cities in the country, the various speakers in the messages, commended the bottom up approach employed by the government, added that the process will no doubt encourage community participation on how Dekina should be planned.