Plateau state Government has Friday, commenced the sensitization and capacity building for stakeholders in its preparation and implementation of the new greater Jos master plan.
The state commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Ubandoma Joshua Laven, at the unveiling of 20 years master plan, said the state is embarking on an ambitious urban development programme, themed: “Challenges of preparation and implementation of physical master plan in Plateau state.”
“If you look at the previous or current master plan, you will see that we started this preparatory stage for a new master plan last year. A comprehensive master plan requires stakeholder meetings like this, where professionals and relevant stakeholders come together to discuss key issues and areas that need improvements,” he said.
Laven said the sensitisation programme has brought diverse group of people, professional town planners, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and various associations and organizations that reside within society.
“We need to hear their views and understand their needs in order to know what we should improve upon. We also need to know What distortions occurred in the last master plan so that it could be avoided.
“The master plan is not just a government initiative; it is for the entire society. His Excellency, Governor Manasseh Mutfwang, has emphasized the need for all hands to be on deck,” Laven said.
He argued that residents and communities must participate in the greater Jos master plan so that they understand designated areas for various developments.
He added that no government can single-handedly fund all its urban development plans, stressing that meeting international standards that is well-organized, institutions such as the United Nations Development Fund for Urban Shelters recognize your efforts.
“With a robust master plan, we can access grants to upgrade and beautify our cities,” he said.
Commissioner Laven said they are now using the limited resources at their disposal to organize this sensitization and collaborative meeting, the goal is to align our plans with the standards of the World Bank and the United Nations agency responsible for shelter.
” We have already engaged in discussions with them, and they have advised us to first establish a comprehensive master plan that includes everyone. “