Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Dr. Erasmus Ekpang Meets Town Planners to Strengthen Collaboration on Sustainable Urban Development

The Commissioner for Lands, Cross River State, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to fostering stronger collaboration with professional bodies to promote sustainable physical planning, efficient land administration and orderly urban development across the state.

The Commissioner made this known during a strategic engagement with the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Cross River State Chapter, held at the Conference Hall of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA).

The meeting was convened at the instance of the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Cross River State Chapter, and hosted by the Director-General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), Mr. Williams Archibong. In attendance were the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Cross River State Chapter, Tpl. Abobana Edim Abobana, executive members of the Institute, and senior officials from CRGIA.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang underscored the indispensable role of professional town planners in shaping functional, resilient and sustainable communities. He emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to partnering with relevant professional institutions and stakeholders to ensure that physical development and land use across the state conform to established planning standards and global best practices.

The Commissioner noted that Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu’s administration places a high premium on strategic planning, efficient land management and the deployment of modern technologies in land administration as critical drivers of sustainable development. He stressed that stronger collaboration among government agencies and professional bodies is essential to achieving these objectives.

Dr. Ekpang commended the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners for its commitment to promoting professionalism, ethical practice and capacity building within the planning profession, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would further enhance urban renewal, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability in Cross River State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Cross River State Chapter, Tpl. Abobana Edim Abobana, appreciated the Commissioner for honouring the Institute’s invitation and reaffirmed the Institute’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Lands and other relevant agencies in advancing sound physical planning practices and sustainable urban development.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), Mr. Williams Archibong, welcomed the Commissioner and members of the Institute, He noted that enhanced collaboration among relevant institutions would strengthen land information management, planning processes and service delivery across the state.

The meeting concluded with a renewed resolve by the Ministry of Lands, the Cross River Geographic Information Agency and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners to work closely in promoting orderly, sustainable and technology-driven physical development across Cross River State.

E-signed:
Ekpang’s Media