The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, TPL Ogbonna Chime, has warned that Nigeria risks a serious urban crisis if governments fail to enforce proper physical planning regulations.

Chime said uncontrolled development, construction on waterways, poor drainage, indiscriminate waste disposal and the conversion of spaces meant for public purposes were contributing significantly to the problems confronting Nigerian cities.

Speaking on Beyond the Headlines, on Freedom Square Tv, hosted by Uchenna Cyril Anioke Ph.D. he maintained that the solution to the country’s urban challenges was to ensure that development plans were prepared before settlements and other physical developments were established.

According to him, a properly prepared master plan takes into account various aspects of the environment, including water resources, geology, transportation and land use.

He explained that town planners work with other professionals, including geophysicists and water resources engineers, to determine areas suitable for development and establish necessary setbacks around bodies of water.

Chime said the absence of master plans in many Nigerian settlements had allowed individuals to develop land according to their personal interests, often creating long-term environmental consequences.

He also criticized the conversion of open spaces and recreational areas for other purposes, warning that such actions undermine the functionality and sustainability of cities.

The NITP president urged governments to become more proactive in planning, saying town planning was about anticipating future needs and determining what should be done, how it should be done and when it should be done.