Building The New Rivers State …A World Habitat Day 2012, Message

Our dear good citizens of Rivers State, today is World
Habitat day. This year’s theme is Changing Cities, Building Opportunities.” The
first Monday of October of every year is set aside by the UN-Habitat, a United
nations Agency to reflect on the state of human settlements and basic right to
adequate shelter. Today, the world is reminded of its collective responsibility
with regard to the future of the human habitat.

The celebration will highlight the state of human
settlements and basic right to adequate shelter for all, especially as the
world is witnessing the greatest migration in its history of people into towns
and cities. The theme-changing cities, building opportunities portrays what
potentials and opportunities exist for the various stakeholders in the city
environment. As the city wears a new look, so also do the economic potentials
of the dwellers improve and are realised through several levels of building
opportunities.

The United Nations chose the theme Changing Cities, Building
Opportunities because cities are the engines of growth. It is in the cities
that many realise their dreams of a better life. Many leave the rural areas and
flock to the cities for no other reason than the promise of a better future and
prosperity.

Today is intended to underscore the need to plan our cities
better because unplanned growths of cities lead to chaotic development and
Urban Sprawl. When well planned, cities can continue to afford opportunities to
both the current and future generations of residents. This dovetails into the
ongoing Un-Habitat campaign, “I am a city changer” which seeks to involve all
in making their cities a better place to live.

Here in Rivers State, the need to create more urban areas
and cities has been in the front burner of most past administrations in the
State. However, never in the History of the state has the issue of city been
conceptualized and implemented as under the present administration of Right
Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. From the on-set there was a clear direction
on the issue of changing the outlook of Port Harcourt City, the state capital
and indeed the entire Rivers State. In view of this, the Greater Port Harcourt
Development Authority was created to midwife a new city which will be of
international standard. In the same vein, a new ministry, the Ministry of Urban
Development and Physical Planning was created out of the erstwhile Ministry of
Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

Both in the old city and the up-coming new city christened
Greater Port Harcourt there are innumerable building opportunities occasioned
by the changes in the urban fabric.

Despite the aptness of the theme for the celebration, we are
in no doubt that the land use in Port Harcourt city and the entire River State
is under pressure due to population increase which has resulted to misuse of
available spaces and public infrastructure. The negligence of aesthetic value
for open spaces, parks, road furniture, landscape for set-back areas,
colouration for private/public buildings and general misuse of
sculptures/statues in designated public areas has affected our value for
beauty. These are essential elements which must be incorporated if our cities
must change for better. We all must join hands to ensure functional and
harmonious infrastructural development.

In conclusion, the key message to our dear people of Rivers
State in this year 2012 World Habitat Day celebration on the theme “Changing
cities, building opportunities” is that the Rivers State Government, through
the ministry of Urban development and Physical Planning will continue to focus
on proactive planning, creation and regulation of new development areas and
firm and effective development control and enforcement. I will therefore, in
line with the theme of this year’s celebration call on all well meaning
citizens and residents of our dear state to be partners in building the new
Rivers State of our Dream.

Nowhere in the world has a city developed without the active
support and co-operation of her people. Our people must begin to abide by all
urban planning and building regulations. Our people must ensure that their
building plans are approved before they commence building. Our people must
abhor street trading. Our people must beautify spaces and setbacks between
their houses and roads by planting trees and flowers. That is the sure way for
all and sundry to be builders of the desired changing cities in Rivers State.

On the occasion of this year’s World Habitat Day, the Rivers
State Government extends her warmest felicitations to the Good people or Rivers
State for being part of the positive drive towards achieving “Changing Cities
and Building Opportunities” for present and future generations of our state.

Being An Address By The Honourable Commissioner Ministry of
Urban development and physical planning Dr. T. W. Danagogo on the occasion of
the global celebration of world habitat day, October 1st, 2012 to the people of
Rivers State.

Dr. Tammy Danagogo