The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has urged Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to prioritise the development of satellite towns alongside his focus on infrastructure in Abuja’s city centre.
Lami Ayuba, the chairman of NITP’s FCT Chapter, made the appeal during a road walk event to mark the 2024 World Habitat Day in Abuja weekend.
While acknowledging Wike’s commendable work within the city, Ayuba emphasised that the majority of the FCT’s residents live in satellite towns, which are in dire need of infrastructure upgrades.
She urged the minister to ensure that both the city centre and satellite towns receive adequate attention and development to meet the diverse needs of all residents.
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She also highlighted the importance of addressing improper waste management in the city and suggested upgrading certain areas from bungalows to multi-level buildings to accommodate the growing population.
“A lot needs to be done about waste management and disposal within the city centre. Some areas need upgrading from bungalows to multi-level buildings to accommodate more people because the population is growing,” she said.
Ayuba also noted that urbanisation is a pressing global trend, with projections indicating that 80% of the world’s population will live in urban centres in the future.
She called on the government to proactively develop urban areas to accommodate this shift.
The event, according to the organisers, aimed to raise awareness about creating thriving and liveable cities and urban centres, emphasising that a sustainable environment leads to sustainable development.
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