Delta Begins Greening Policy In GRAs

All building plans in Government Reserved Areas (GRAs) in Delta State without any provision for greening purposes would no longer be approved, a state government official has said.

Mr Patrick Ferife, the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.

He said the new greening policy would address the lack of uniformity in buildings in the GRAs.

Ferife, however, added that area coverage of greening would vary according to the density of each area.

“The policy was initiated because it had been observed that applicants, who sought for government land and were given, build whatever they liked on the land without regards to town planning regulations.

“While some land developers did good landscaping, others did not. But the greening policy would ensure that there is a change,’’ he said.

According to the commissioner, the greening policy would ensure that developers had small percentage of built up land, leaving other parts green shrubs and trees.

“For high density areas, 30 per cent of the land will henceforth be built up, with 25 per cent left for greening and 45 per cent for paving.

“The medium and low density areas would henceforth be 33 per cent built up, 25 per cent greening, 42 per cent paving and 20 per cent built up, 25 per cent greening and 55 per cent paving respectively,’’ he said.

Ferife told NAN further that Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan had given approval for the immediate commencement of the greening policy.

He added that the production of the Asaba master plan had been completed and would soon be exhibited.

The commissioner said the 2003 Urban and Regional Planning Law made it mandatory that master plans for any area should be exhibited for public view.

“This is with a view to getting contributions from members of the public,’’ he said.

Ferife disclosed that the master plans of some cities in the state would be exhibited before the end of the year.

He listed the master plans as those of Asaba, Sapele, Amukpe, Oghara, Kwale, Agbor, Umunede and Owa-Oyibu.

The commissioner said the need to have and implement the master plan of an area was imperative as unplanned towns often had chaotic atmosphere and environment.

Ferife explained that master plans, as the blueprint to development, did not only enhance the efficiency of town planning authorities.

“They also boost the investment potentials of the areas, as well as help in guiding their growth,’’ he said.