A bill seeking to restore the original master plan of Enugu State on Tuesday scaled second reading at the State House of Assembly.
The bill for a law to make provision for Urban and Regional Planning attracted contributions and support of the lawmakers during the plenary.
In his lead debate, the Leader of the House, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said that the bill would complement the frantic efforts of the current state government to maintain the original master plan of Enugu as the former capital of the Eastern region.
Ezeugwu noted that the bill would ensure that structures and buildings were properly erected in compliance with the state urban law as well as empowered those charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the urban laws were obeyed.
He expressed dismay that every street in the state capital had turned into market and illegal structure.
The leader of the assembly noted that such unauthorized market and illegal structures was contrary to the agenda of the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration to renew urban city in the state.
Ezeugwu representing Udenu Constituency pointed out that having a well planned urban city would not only save the state from experiencing building collapse anytime soon but would also make the state among investment destination in the country.
The deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Uche Ugwu, commended the timely nature of the Executive bill, which he said was coming at a time when the state government was demolishing many illegal structures in the capital city.
Ugwu representing Udi North Constituency said that the bill would take care of eventuality as nobody, including developers, would be allowed to build along water ways or unauthorized places.
He said that the move would further make Enugu a more beautiful city capable of attracting tourists, which in a long run boost the revenue of the state government.
Mr. Ibenaku Onoh representing Enugu North Constituency, while supporting the bill, said that when implemented, would make Enugu state an embodiment of sustainable development.
He stressed that the bill would provide a comprehensive road map for the incoming state government to understand what the previous government did and also purse their own development without undermining future development.
Also, the member representing Uzo Uwani Constituency, Mr. Josephat Okika, added that the bill would bring peace and harmony in the state.
The speaker of the Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, commended his colleagues for their contributions during the debate and thereafter referred the bill to House committees on Land and Foreign Investment, Capital territory and Judiciary Matters for Public Hearings.
Ubosi directed the committees to submit their report to the House within the next three weeks.
