2025 WORLD TOWN PLANNING DAY: CROSS RIVER NITP CHAIR CALLS FOR DOMESTICATION OF URBAN PLANNING LAW
✓ Dr. Samuel Emri urges Governor Otu to prioritise sustainable development through professional planning framework.
By Amawu, Cletus Albert Amawu.
CALABAR, NIGERIA — The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Cross River State Chapter, Tpl. Dr. Samuel Inaku Emri, has joined urban planning professionals across the globe to mark the 75th World Town Planning Day (WTPD), reiterating the urgent need for the state government to domesticate the Urban and Regional Planning Law to strengthen sustainable city management.
Speaking in Calabar during the commemoration themed “With Planning, Yes We Can!”, Dr. Emri emphasised that planning is not merely a technical or bureaucratic process but the very foundation of development that influences all aspects of daily life, from transportation and housing to waste management, employment and environmental health.
“A well-planned city is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, economically efficient, and environmentally healthy,” Dr. Emri said.
He warned that the effects of unplanned urbanisation are already visible in Cross River State, with the growing influx of people into urban centres resulting in informal settlements, decayed infrastructure, and increased crime.
Dr. Emri stated that effective urban and regional planning remains the only sustainable response to the pressures of urban migration, adding that proper planning ensures “orderly growth, inclusive communities, and resilient environments.”
The NITP Chairman urged a broader understanding of planning beyond zoning and building regulations, describing it as “a creative, holistic process that harmonises human needs with nature and infrastructure.”
He highlighted that the principles of town planning are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
According to him, empowering professional planners to participate in policy formulation and project implementation will significantly improve developmental outcomes.
Dr. Emri used the occasion to call on Governor Bassey Otu to domesticate the Urban and Regional Planning Law (Decree 88 of 1992, amended in 2004, LFN Cap 138), arguing that such action would institutionalise effective city management through structured planning documents, Regional Plans, Master Plans, and Urban Regeneration Plans.
He further called for the creation of a robust Development Control Department headed by a Registered Town Planner, warning that “development control managed by non-professionals is a disaster waiting patiently to happen.”
“Such reforms will align perfectly with Governor Otu’s ‘People First’ mantra, ensuring that growth across Cross River State is sustainable, orderly, and people-centred,” he noted.
Dr. Emri expressed optimism that the 2025 World Town Planning Day would be a turning point for the profession in the state.
“As we celebrate this year’s World Town Planning Day, we believe that this Sweet Season will usher in a new era where physical planning occupies its rightful place in governance and development,” he said.
He reaffirmed the NITP’s commitment to promoting sound planning principles that will drive sustainable development in Cross River State, concluding:
“With sound physical planning policies in place, Cross River State can truly say, With Planning, Yes We Can!”
FULL TEXT OF PRESS RELEASE BELOW
PRESS RELEASE
ADDRESS BY TPL. DR. SAMUEL INAKU EMRI, CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TOWN PLANNERS (NITP), CROSS RIVER STATE CHAPTER, TO MARK THE 2025 WORLD TOWN PLANNING DAY (WTPD)
Esteemed members of Nigerian Institute of town planners, Cross River State Chapter, today marks the 75th celebration of World Town Planning Day (WTPD). Every year, the world takes a deep breath to celebrate the art and science of ordering the use on land on the 8th of November.
This celebration dates back to 1949, when Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera, an Angentine academic in the University of Buenos Aries, a graduate of Institut d’ Urbanisme de Paris founded it. He opined that urban planning shouldn’t remain confined within professional or governmental circles, but must be understood and appreciated by citizens everywhere around the globe.
This year’s celebration, themed “With Planning, Yes We Can!”, underscores the importance of planning as a core solution to global challenges, physical, social, economic, environmental, and even security-related.
PLANNING AS THE BEDROCK OF DEVELOPMENT
Planning is not just a technical exercise but an essential aspect of daily living that influences transportation, recreation, waste management, water supply, drainage, housing, communication, employment, and overall wellbeing.
A well-planned city, is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, economically efficient, and environmentally healthy.
Rapid urbanization continues to shape global demographics, with more than half of the world’s population now living in cities. Cross River State, is no exception, as we mirrors this trend, as urban migration intensifies, leading to rural depopulation, reduced agricultural productivity, and increasing pressure on city infrastructure.
Unplanned urban growth manifests in several negative outcomes, including informal settlements, urban sprawl, pollution, decayed infrastructure, and rising crime rates. The only sustainable remedy, he stressed, is effective urban and regional planning, which provides a framework for orderly growth and development.
PLANNING BEYOND ZONING AND BUILDING CODES
Let me emphasized that town planning extends far beyond zoning laws or building codes.
Planning is about people, a creative, holistic process that harmonizes human needs with nature and infrastructure.
Planning directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.
As greater involvement of town planners in government policy formulation and implementation would significantly enhance developmental outcomes.
CALL TO ACTION
The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners used this occasion to call on His Excellency, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, to domesticate and implement the Urban and Regional Planning Law (Decree 88 of 1992, as amended in 2004, LFN Cap 138).
Physical planning requires a holistic and integrated approach to city management, including the preparation of Regional Plans, Master Plans, Structural Plans, Subject Plans, and Urban Regeneration Plans.
I sincerely wish to emphasised the importance of establishing a robust Development Control Department under the supervision of a Registered Town Planner, warning that:
Development control managed by non-professionals is a disaster waiting patiently to happen.
Such reforms, would align perfectly with Governor Otu’s ‘People First’ mantra, ensuring that growth across Cross River State is sustainable, orderly, and people-centered.
THE WAY FORWARD
Let me expressed optimism that the 2025 celebration would mark a turning point for the planning profession in Cross River State.
As we celebrate World Town Planning Day 2025, we believe that this Sweet Season will usher in a new era where physical planning occupies its rightful place in the governance and development of our state.
I want to reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to promoting sound planning principles that will help Cross River State achieve sustainable development goals.
With sound physical planning policies in place, Cross River State can truly say: “With Planning, Yes We Can!”
Signed:
Tpl. Dr. Samuel Inaku Emri
Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Cross River State Chapter
Date: November 8, 2025.
