Yobe Assembly begins process to tackle uncontrolled construction, poor planning

The Yobe State House of Assembly has said it is committed to providing a legal framework to address the issues of uncontrolled construction, poor physical planning, and environmental challenges that continue to affect urban and rural communities in the state.

The Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, gave the assurance while speaking at the opening of a one-day public hearing on a bill seeking the establishment of the Urban Development and Regional Planning Authority in the state.

Mashio said, “The establishment of the Authority would provide a legal framework to coordinate urban and regional planning, improve infrastructure development, curb indiscriminate construction, and ensure environmental sustainability.

“The proposed authority will also strengthen development control, enhance physical planning standards, and promote balanced development across both urban and rural communities.”

The state chief lawmaker commended the House Standing Committee on Housing for organizing the public hearing session, adding that it is part of the legislative procedure before the bill is passed into law.

The Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Hon. Musa Lawan Majakura, urged the participants to carefully scrutinize the bill in order to contribute to its success.

Majakura assured that the committee will study all the recommendations presented at the public hearing session for possible consideration.

Those who presented memos at the occasion include the Yobe Geographic Information Service, the Nigerian Institute of Architects, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Damaturu Branch, town planners, surveyors, environmental experts, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), among others.