Date: 2018-01-29

Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad has appealed to the state government to hasten the take off of the operations of Physical Planning Authority and the Development Control Agency to control illegal land development and hasten the restoration of Ilorin masterplan.

This, according to Ahmad, became imperative with the repealing of the State Town Planning Law by the Assembly and which gave birth to existence of the new two agencies.

He said this while hosting members and Executives of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Kwara State Chapter, at the weekend, disclosing that funds have been appropriated in the 2018 budget to ensure the agencies smooth operation.

The Speaker noted that the erstwhile Town Planning Development Authority can no longer function, legally speaking, because it's law has been repealed and any action by it is now null and void.

To ensure that the agencies take off with solid foundation, Ahmad enjoined the state government to make use of the expertise in the field.

Ahmad saluted the institute's doggedness and their members' support, which he noted assisted the lawmakers tremendously while working on the Bill.

Earlier, the institute's state Chairman, Mr Raphael Oluwafemi Olaifa while commending the 8th Assembly for the passage of the Bill explained that the institute has been craving for separation of the old Town Planning agency as far back as 20 years.

Olaifa said several efforts and attempts by the town planners in the past met brick wall and further commended the House under Dr. Ali Ahmad's leadership for their commitment in enacting laws that would improve the society.