Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged architects and other relevant professionals to among other factors consider the underprivileged in the society in planning for Nigeria’s infrastructure and building sustainable cities for the future.
He made the appeal in his remarks at the ongoing National Integrated Masterplan Conference organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects.
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The conference is themed “Creating Sustainable World-Class Cities in Nigeria.”
Osinbajo urged them to see infrastructure planning as an opportunity to create a physical environment conducive for social mobility.
The Vice President, while speaking on the need to have an infrastructure plan that took care of all strata of society, said “it is important that you all as professionals keep the underprivileged members of society in mind as you plan the country’s infrastructure.
“In building our cities, we must deliberately ensure that the benefits of becoming world-class cities accrue not only to wealthy individuals but across all strata of society.
“A city cannot be considered world-class if it lacks a vibrant economy driven by qualitative infrastructure, functional social services and efficient urban governance that optimally deliver public goods,” he added.
He said the Federal Government had invested significantly in infrastructure over the past seven years.
Prof. Osinbajo also spoke about the N15 trillion Infrastructure Corporation (InfraCorp Nigeria), the National Development Plan, as well as the master plan for infrastructure development, urging improved private sector participation in their implementation.
While speaking on urban planning and social integration, he said “sustainable urban planning must involve planning for the clean energy needs of large numbers of people, from renewable energy for homes and work spaces, to providing infrastructure for clean cooking.”
