Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, known as the UN-HABITAT, for the preparation and implementation of Structure Plans for Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and other urban centers in the State.
In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka the signing of the MOU, which was done at the official residence of the Nigerian High Commission to Kenya and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN-HABITAT, Ambassador Sheidu Omeiza Momoh followed a series of negotiations and meetings with UN-HABITAT led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
A delegation from the State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development
dispatched by the Governor to Kenya to tidy up the work and sign the agreement on behalf of the State Government led by the Honorable Commissioner in the Ministry, Barrister Suleman Ukandu and made of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Joy Ezinwanyi Nwakanma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development/President of the Nigerian Institution of Town Planners, TPL Lekwa Ezuta and the Director of Town Planning in the Ministry, TPL Dr. Lawson Ananaba.
The statement disclosed that the Permanent Secretary in State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mrs Joy Ezinwanyi Nwakanma signed on behalf of the State Government while the UN-HABITAT Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Naison Mutizwa-Mangiza signed for the UN-HABITAT as was witnessed by botu the Ambassador and the Honorable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu.
The statement said “By the signing of this agreement, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, known as the UN-HABITAT will collaborate with the Abia State Government in preparing and implementing Structure Plans that will guide the sustainable growth of Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and other urban centers in the State. They will also support the state with technical advisory services to enable the state plan ahead of development in order to manage rapid urban growth and capacity building of institutions, agencies and officials involved to enable them discharge their duties more effectively. In particular, the UN-HABITAT will aid directly in the urban renewal of Aba, the commercial hub of the State.”
Continuing, the statement noted that the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in expressing delight at this development, reiterated the fact that “one of my key priorities as Governor is to lay solid foundations that will make for the sustainable growth of our state, way beyond my tenure.”
According to the Governor, “one notable factor that has slowed down our pace of development has been the near absence of long term sustainable development plans. Leaders at all levels must look beyond their limited terms of office, see into the future and put in place plans and strategies that successive administrations can build on. We must shift emphasis from temporary applauses and become futuristic in our thinking as a people”.
“This is the philosophy behind my approach to governance. This is why I am passionate about the Enyimba Economic City Project. This latest MOU with the UN-HABITAT is yet another push by our administration towards building a stronger and better future for our people. The results may not show immediately but in the years to come, our people will benefit from this. Our government will provide the UN-HABITAT with all the necessary support required to successfully execute this project because we understand the benefits it will bring to our state”. The Governor concludes.
The statement further added that the project would formally take off in 2020, disclosing that “The signing of this MOU is historic as this is the first time the Abia State Government will enter into this kind of comprehensive agreement with any agency of the United Nations for the development of a sustainable plan for regeneration of our major cities; and that “This is yet another direct result of the Ikpeazu administration’s push for the improvement of the well-being of the people of Abia State.”
