By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has pledged stronger collaboration with the State Ministry of Housing to improve urban planning, housing development, and service delivery across the state.
The commitment followed a courtesy visit by the leadership of the NITP to the Honourable Commissioner for Housing, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Igwe, on Friday, 24th October 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Calabar.
The visit provided a platform to discuss crucial issues including job opportunities for young planners, review of the State Housing Policy, implementation of site and services schemes, slum upgrade programmes, and the strengthening of the Physical Planning Department to enhance operational efficiency.
Leading the delegation, Chairman of NITP Cross River State Chapter, Tpl. Dr Samuel I. Emri, stressed the importance of aligning professional expertise with government planning initiatives to ensure sustainable development.
“Planning must remain the backbone of every successful development effort. We are committed to supporting the government’s vision for a more liveable, structured, and inclusive Cross River State,” Dr Emri stated.
In her response, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Igwe, commended the NITP for its proactive engagement and professional contributions to urban development. She assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to foster a productive working relationship with professional bodies within the built environment sector.
“We are open to partnerships that will strengthen planning, improve service delivery, and bring sustainable development closer to our people,” Dr Igwe said.
Dr Igwe further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the NITP in tackling housing challenges, improving the physical planning system, and creating an enabling environment for private-sector participation. She also expressed her willingness to attend the Institute’s forthcoming 56th International Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja and announced that the Director of Physical Planning from her ministry would be sponsored to the event for capacity building.
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The NITP delegation expressed appreciation for Dr Igwe’s leadership and her openness to collaboration, acknowledging her role in revitalising the housing sector. The group also commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for establishing the Ministry of Housing and appointing Dr Igwe to head it, describing the decision as visionary and impactful.
According to the planners, the creation of the ministry reflects the governor’s commitment to structured and sustainable housing and urban development across the state.
The meeting ended with mutual assurances of partnership as both parties expressed optimism that their synergy would yield tangible outcomes in housing policy reform, professional development, and community-oriented housing initiatives.
Among those present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Director of Administration, the Director of Physical Planning, Tpl. Patrick Utimagiang; NITP Chairman, Tpl. Dr Samuel I. Emri; Former Directors of Town Planning, including Tpl. Dr Benedict Ojikpong, Tpl. Dr Ambekeh Udida, Tpl. Abobana E. Abobana, and Tpl. Ayi E. Akiba; as well as the 1st Vice Chairman, Tpl. Dr Hon. Otop Otop, and Tpl. Apostle Ita O. Inyang.
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) is the professional body responsible for promoting sustainable, inclusive, and well-structured urban and regional development in Nigeria. Through collaborations with government agencies, development partners, and the private sector, the NITP works to advance spatial planning, infrastructure development, and policy implementation that improve citizens’ living conditions nationwide.
