The Ogun State Government has challenged Town Planning Officers in the build sector to take advantage of modern technology to advance the profession, towards achieving proper town planning and ensuring sanity.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Tunji Odunlami stated this in Abeokuta, at a two-day retreat for Zonal Planning Officers with the theme: ‘Strategy Planning and Vision Sharing’, saying acquisition of knowledge would help take stock of development and plan ahead to achieve set objectives.

Odunlami said the State government is committed to capacity building of critical stakeholders in the sector, particularly the town planning officers, to enforce international best practices in the discharge of their duties.

The Commissioner noted that the retreat was first of its kind since the restructuring of Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning Board into three new agencies which are; the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, the Ogun State Slum Regeneration Authority and the Ogun State Building Production Management Authority.

"This retreat is an opportunity to bring our officers together to cross- fertilise ideas for effective service delivery and a time to reflect on the past performance and improve on them", he said.

Speaking earlier, the Acting General Manager, Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, Tpl. Kolawole Ogun appreciated the support of the Commissioner, advising the officers to always work in tandem with the physical planning law.

One of the resource persons who spoke on Vision Sharing, Target Analysis and Strategic Action Planning/ Future Plans, TPL. Adedayo Olowolagba highlighted the target analysis and the strategic action plans needed to achieve a goal, affirming that planning permit process had been reduced to maximum of seven days for Simple Applications and 14 days for Major Application tagged 7-7-14.

He tasked the Town Planners on rigorous monitoring, checks and balances, consultations with stakeholders, adding that if action plan was well implemented, the vision would be realised.