Devt plan: Edo boosts capacity of indigenous master planners to ensure sustainability

The Edo State Government has called for support from stakeholders in the built environment sector to drive the implementation of the state’s master plan.

Addressing journalists after a training session for indigenous master planners, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, Mrs. Osaro Grace Aihie, said the participants were drawn from all relevant government ministries, agencies and departments.

She noted, “You know we have a new development plan for Edo State. We don’t want it to be like other times where the plan is designed and then stored away in a shelf. We want our people to be trained so that when the consultants go, we can implement the plan.”

According to her, one reason why previous master plans were not implemented was because the indigenous master planners were not carried along during the drafting of the plans, adding that ignorance of the plans made implementation impossible.

“From the word go, the state government said the indigenous people should be incorporated so that they can take possession of the process because when they join from the beginning, it is easier to implement. The goal is that when we receive the design, we will be able to implement it,” she added.

The facilitator, Ali Hijazy said the participants were trained on concepts of planning as well as Geographic Information System (GIS) to geo-reference data.

One of the participants, Irhabor Iranus, commended the initiative, adding that the training will help to locate and or collect data regarding the flow of electricity to the various areas and the electrical needs of certain areas among other required data for development.

Another participant, Solomon Otse Yetunde, noted that the training will enhance the proper evacuation of wastes and locating areas where the service is least enjoyed as well as expediting initiatives to ensure a clean and green environment which the state government has designed.