A healthy environment is no doubt, a condition for wealth and health. It is a prerequisite or an avenue for development and growth. A well-defined and planned environment is one that attracts investment and brings about rapid growth and development.
In 2002, after extensive consultations nationwide, the Federal Government introduced the National Urban Development Policy (NUDP) with the goal of developing “a dynamic system of urban settlements, which will foster sustainable economic growth, promote efficient urban and regional development and ensure improved standard of living and well-being of all Nigerians.
Similarly in 2012, a National Urban Development Policy was developed with the major strategies of the establishment of an institutional structure. This was deemed necessary to ensure the development and efficient management of Nigerian urban settlement. It also talked about the classification and profiling of towns and cities for policy intervention purposes.
The objectives of town planning include; promoting beauty, convenience, a healthy environment, and public health. While it includes establishing green belts, designing housing and public buildings, providing recreation areas, developing the road and transport systems, it also seeks to design and manage the physical, social, and economic development of urban areas to create sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing communities.
Cities rely on urban planning to remain functional, grow in population, and attract businesses. Every crucial aspect of an urban environment is largely centred on how layout is planned. This includes key infrastructure, transportation, and city area layout and density.
One of the most visible and effective ways urban planners can improve the environmental quality of cities is by increasing the amount and diversity of green spaces. Green spaces, such as parks, gardens, forests, and wetlands, provide multiple benefits for both humans and nature.
However, on this side of the country and particularly in Kogi State, this is not the case as there seems to be unavailability of town planning or enforcement of the provisions that guarantee healthy environment. A walk around Lokoja, the state capital and almost all the urban and semi urban settings, leaves much to be desired. While government has in some areas provided a workable layout to be implemented, in some areas, it is non-existent or have not been implemented.
There is hardly any area of the state you go to that you find that the residents have followed the plan of that area. In such plans, what is expected are designated areas for clinics or primary healthcare centres, police stations, schools, recreational centres and market for use by all. The roads in these places are to be constructed to link one to another. However, this is in most instances, not the case.
The most worrisome is the rising cases of makeshift markets springing up everywhere in the state capital. For every location or every major or minor junction, there is a thriving makeshift market. While these in themselves are not bad as they make readily available basic needs to the people, their locations are unsafe or wrongly positioned.
Most of these markets have encroached on original spaces made for all road users- motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians alike. Those in these markets display their wares on roads without recourse first to their safety and that of their potential customers. These roadside marketers have taken over the roads as other road users can hardly find available space to move without hinderances.
Most of these roadside markets are just a disaster waiting to happen or an accident lurking in the shadows. Such was the situation some weeks ago when an improperly latched trailer container fell on two vehicles. The occupants of the vehicles were just saved by divine grace.
Such has also been the case around the Kpata Market as well as the International Market. Designated places should be provided for different things. Just as the timber shed has been moved outside the town and the central motor park moved to the Felele axis of the town, markets can be located at designated places off busy areas or roadsides.
For every nook and cranny, there is a market springing up without recourse to the dangers involved in such locations.
While we on The Graphic stable acknowledge the role these roadside markets play in the economic development and life of the people, we are wary of the disasters that can emanate from this. We call on those concerned to ensure that the right things are done while we are still able rather than wait to clean the milk when it has been spilt.
Where market stalls have been provided, the use of such stalls without spilling or overflowing into the roads should be strictly adhered to.
It is expedient that even those with shopping arcades or plazas along the roads provide adequate packing spaces for their customers.
The aesthetics of a town are promoted by the way it is planned and the plans adhered to. It is worrisome to see that the master plan of the town is not being adhered to. The environments where these markets are found are an eyesore which also have health implications.
We call on the authorities concerned to do something about these developments and on time too so that the time bombs ticking do not explode. A stitch in time saves nine!
