The Director of Youth Affairs in the Office of the Ambassador of African Union (AU) Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC- Nigeria) and former member of the National Youth Parliament, Hon. Daniel Uwadia, has showcased the urban renewal initiatives of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State, urging for support for the reforms.
Uwadia made the call at the 11th World Urban Forum in Katowice, Poland.
The World Urban Forum is a premier biannual global conference on sustainable urbanization organized by United Nations-Habitat, an agency of the United Nations.
Speaking on how parliamentarians can support effective rural-urban linkages and the transformation of cities for a better urban future, Uwadia said the example in Edo State is worth emulating as the state has set the pace for reforms with new laws passed to develop master plans which will transform the state into well-planned and sustainable city.
According to him, “The Edo State Government, a sub-regional government in Nigeria under Governor Godwin Obaseki is a classic example of how a stable relationship between the executive and legislative arm of government has helped in rebuilding infrastructure to improve livelihoods.
“The effective implementation of legislations on urban renewal is transforming lives, even as international partners are urged to support the governor’s initiative to build sustainable cities through its development and master plans to engender rural-urban linkages.”
He said Governor Obaseki’s reforms can be replicated and can help more countries to adapt to changing trends in physical planning, urban planning and regional development, noting that some of the reforms seek to restore rural settlements and make them more suitable for living in order to stem rapid urban migrations.
Uwadia added that development in rural areas must cater for necessities such as road networks, electricity, primary health centres, and recreational facilities, among others.
