…..Town Planners celebrate World Habitat Day, Call on Ondo State Govt for inclusive governance, proper urban planning and deliberate investment in mass housing to curb Urban Crisis:
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TOWN PLANNERS (NITP) ONDO STATE CHAPTER, ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD HABITAT DAY 2025.
THEME: URBAN CRISIS RESPONSE.
DATE: OCTOBER 6, 2025
Today the 6th of October, 2025, marks the annual observance of World Habitat Day a day designated by the United Nations since 1985 to reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic right of all people to adequate shelter.
This 2025 theme is Urban Crisis Response it is profound and Strategic to our collective aspirations and hope for a Safe, Clean, Prosperous, liveable and improved Livelihoods.
Internationally the focus this year is to highlight, Sustainable, scalable and transformative solutions to urban displacement that must stabilise population, promote prosperity and fostering social cohesion for all, and ensure the promotion of urban and territorial planning, inclusive urban governance especially by local government authorities.
The UN Habitat Day is an occasion to educate the public on issues of concern to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
in line with this global call to action, the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners joins other organisations internationally and locally to celebrate today as well as call the attention of the Ondo State Government to the need for proactive responses to some urban crisis in Ondo State while reflecting on the theme of the 2025 world habitat day.
The urban crisis in Ondo State revolves around high urbanization, huge qualitative and quantitative housing deficit, uncontrolled high cost of land, poor land management, decaying infrastructure, urgent need for improved city safety and social cohesion, poor urban planning and absence of Master Plans and Land Use plans to guide our physical developments.
Premised on this critical issues the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Ondo State chapter deeply concerned dutifully call on the Ondo State Government to consider for immediate action and implementing the commissioning of Urban Regeneration strategic plans for the renewal of Akure, Ikare, Ore, Owo, Igbokoda and Okitipupa towns to address the current slum developments and blighted neighborhoods that abound.
In the same vein, In order to stem the activities of criminals, the Ondo State government needs to consider the deliberate deployment of the use of security cameras (CCTV)with Akure City to be used for the pilot implementation and a central control room under the Amotekun security network constructed in Alagbaka.
The cost of land in Akure and other major towns in Ondo State is rising astronomically and constituting impediment to developments, therefore
Ondo State government needs to address this as a State Urban crisis and stem the activities of land speculators with a view to crashing the high cost of land which is inhibiting investors both locally and in diaspora who wishes to construct habitable housing units.
Improved waste management, good sanitation and clean water are key to well being and good health
The provision of clean and safe water for the people of Ondo State is in line with sustainable development goals, 1,3,6,and 11 therefore the State government is enjoined to give priority to the the recticulation of Owena dam to provide pipe borne water to Akure South, Idanre, Ifedore, and Akure North local government areas While the current waste management strategy requires a re-engineering approach for optimum results.
As Ondo State joins other nations and sub Nationals in the 2025 World-Habitat Day celebration, I wish to remind the leadership of the state that inclusive governance, proper urban planning and deliberate investments in mass housing provision will mark the required positive difference and promote the theme of this year’s Habitat Day Celebration.
I on behalf of members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners Ondo State Chapter, professionals in the built environment and distinguished residents of Ondo State communities, towns and cities wish us all happy world Habitat Day.
Tpl Dr. Osunsanmi Gbolabo Fnitp
Chairman Ondo State NITP
