By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
The Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), has cautioned against building on waterways, warning that such practices can lead to flooding and pose dangers to human lives.
Dr. Chinedu Okoro, the state representative of TOPREC, emphasized the need for residents to desist from constructing on waterways, which he said has caused more harm than good to the environment and residents.
According to him, the practice of building on waterways is a major contributor to flooding in the state, and it is imperative that residents and developers adhere to the laid-down regulations to mitigate this menace.
He commended the state government for the high level of planning in the capital city but expressed regret that the same could not be said of the state’s 13 local government areas.
Dr. Okoro urged the state governor to employ town planners in local government areas to monitor developers’ activities and ensure compliance with the regulations. He also warned practitioners in the state against engaging in corrupt and unethical practices, which he said would be monitored and disciplined by the newly inaugurated Ebonyi State TOPREC Professional Monitoring Team.
The team secretary, Mrs. Esther Nwite, assured that the team would work assiduously to ensure that all members strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the profession and would not hesitate to refer any offending member or members to the National Ethics Committee for disciplinary action.