By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, TOPREC has charged new professional Town Planners to ensure improvements on existing town planning regulations and practices.
TOPREC President Mr Isyaku Kura gave the charge on Monday in Uyo at the 33rd induction ceremony of 14 new professional Town Planners in Akwa Ibom.
Kura who was represented by TOPREC representative in Akwa Ibom Mr Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio said that the induction was not only to admit the inductees into the profession but also to remind them of the need to sustain and broaden their knowledge and technical skills required for improved capacity throughout their professional working life.
The President who urged them to adhere to international best practices and shun material gain over professionalism disclosed that over 2,000 of the 4,963 Town Planners in Nigeria have been inducted into the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP.
“Those of you who have been involved with the daily operations of urban and regional planning since you started work must have realized that you are now in a different world and so to the new inductees therefore, your activities should now reflect the thinking of the new world you have found yourself.
“You must therefore apply the TOPREC Act, code of conduct, practices and regulations in service delivery to citizens and more importantly in the dispensation of any assignment if you are to effectively and efficiently function as a registered Town Planners.” He charged them.
State commissioner for Lands and Water resources, Arch. Ime Ekpo in a remark urged them to adhere to always adhere to professional diligence and adhere to the objectives of TOPREC and NITP.
Ekpo maintained that an efficient environment for people to dwell and live in could only be made possible through an efficient town planning and urged the new inductees to strive to improve on their knowledge by acquiring new skills and improving on their academic and professional practices.
In a Goodwill message, National President of NITP, Mr Lekwa Ezutah commended the new inductees for their commitment and diligence that brought them this far and commended old members for sustaining the regulation of town planning in Nigeria.
Ezutah who was represented by the state chairman of NITP Mr Ime Emah tasked them to ensure they adhere to NITP regulations warning that sanctions would be meted out to erring members for unprofessional conduct and bringing the institute to disrepute.
“I want to draw your attention to the fact that you have also robbed yourself to exercise the franchise within the boundaries of the laws, rules and regulations for practicing the profession.
“I would also want to assert that the desire to be rich within a short time have beclouded many young professionals from enjoying the benefits of mentorship, excellence and dignity in practice.
“Therefore I admonish you to adhere to the visions, aims and objectives and core values of the institute, TOPREC law as well as the professional ethics and code of conduct. You must practice responsibly and fulfill all professional obligations to the institute and TOPREC.” He said.
High point of the ceremony was the oath taking and presentation of Certificates to the 14 new registered Town Planners including two females and a soldier, Captain Ukoh Udoh
