The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) may adopt Land Use Planning and Analysis Report (LUPAR) as part of documents to support building plan approvals, applications for opening of corporate bank accounts and processing of bank loans by early next year, New Telegraph has learnt. President of the NITP, Dr. Femi Olomola, disclosed this in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing the LUPAR as a novelty that seeks to expand the frontiers of Site Analysis Report (SAR) applications beyond the tradition of planning approvals. He spoke at the formal opening of the 17th edition of 2015 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) themed: “Development of a Multi User Template for Land Use Planning and Analysis Reporting in Nigeria.” LUPAR is expected to build on the existing SAR processes and procedures, add details of geographic references and further information relating to building types and conditions, title deeds, the local land use, development setting and the permits granted on property.
The expanded areas of its application cut across various sectors of the economy, many of which have direct relevance to the financial sector and regulatory agencies. Olomola said that the new format LUPAR, in addition to other benefits, could become a very useful and authentic instrument that supports applications for opening of corporate bank accounts, process bank loans, make requests for Insurance cover and incorporate/register new companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Besides, it will also addresses the traditional requirements of applications for building plan approval/permits, issuance of certificates of occupancies (Cof- Os), and potential value to security and regulatory agencies with oversight functions on crime and enforcement of standards, among others.
Olomola said that about 13 different areas of the economy where LUPAR will be useful had been identified. The NITP boss, who noted that the Urban and Regional Planning Decree 88 of 1992 clearly defines the legal and institutional framework for Land Use Planning in Nigeria, regretted that the nation is yet to get the environment right. Part of the reasons he adduced for this include unavailability of tools needed for site visits, shortage of personnel, with less than 5,000 registered town planners in the country, among other factors. He said that the institute couldn’t afford to wait for governments to provide all that is needed to achieve the dream environment, hence the idea of the new template that is aimed at addressing some of the identified gaps.
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