Ogun State - Stakeholders Highlight the Merits of Ogun State New Towns Law

[OgunState]

 The proposed Ogun State New Towns Law, 2013 will create more job opportunities, empower the large percentage of citizens, redefine the face of the State as well as reduce pressure on existing social infrastructure across the nook and crannies of the State. This formed part of the submissions of the various professional bodies and individuals at a stakeholders’ forum on the New Town Law, put together by the State House of Assembly’s Committees on Lands and Housing, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as Special Duties.

Those who spoke at the forum including representatives of relevant professionals bodies in the building industry like the Nigeria Institution of Architects, Nigeria Institute of Surveyors, Nigeria Institutes of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners as well as Justice Development and Peace Movement amongst others.

They lauded the government and the seventh legislature for promoting participatory governance in the State, saying that with the quality of contributions at the forum, the various laws being put in place would engender even development across the State.

The participants however sought for inclusion of more relevant professionals to perform certain key functions in operating the new law, promising to always collaborate with government in ensuring the success of the new towns law. Contributing, the General Manager, Bureau of Urban and Regional Planning , Mr Stephen Adewolu observed that the establishment of New Towns Development Authority would go a long way in fast tracking socio- economic development of the State.

Declaring the forum open, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Remmy Hazzan informed that the stakeholder’s summit was convened in tandem with the participatory democratic norm to allow people’s inputs. Hon. Hazzan further observed that State House of Assembly would not derail from its normal practice of incorporating constituents’ opinions and views into any law to be made, stressing that the two proposed bills were germane to the socio- economic development of the State.

In the same vein, the forum which also had the Chairmen of Local Government Councils in attendance further deliberated on the proposed Ogun State Land Use and Amenities Charge Law, 2013 which provided that each local government council in the State should be the collecting authority in line with the constitution.

The law also indicates that each collecting authority may delegate to the State by written agreement its functions with respect to the collection of the charges listed in the law, while the Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee would also be established with the Commissioner for Finance as its Chairman.

Via: Ogun State Government - Official Press Release

[Folami David]

The leaders in that state should just always try to consider the indigens whenever they release any law. It is very important.