Collaboration and cooperation between Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been identified as essential to enhancing effective and efficient physical planning and urban development in Ogun State.

Commissioner for Physical Planing and Urban Development, TPL Olatunji Odunlami made the submission at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Ogun State Chapter of  Nigerian Institute of Town Planners ( NITP)  held at the institute's secretariat in Abeokuta.

Speaking on the theme "Cross Sector Collaboration in the Production and Implementation of Development Plans: Imperative of Synergy Among MDAs", TPL Odunlami emphasizeneed for collaboration between MDAs in delivery of peaceful ecological societal development plan, which come with attendant  benefits like cross fertilization of ideas, improved bonding as well as synergized effort to achieve shared objectives.

Odunlami added that such cooperation would reduce incidences of land grabbing, erosion, improper citing of drainages, building on acquisitions, not obtaining building permits and authorizations, among others.

"The culture of working on silos has greatly affected the growth and development of land administration in the state, but presently, the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration has made it 

imperative that all land-related MDAs collaborate, while even non-land related ones like Education, Health and others are captured in the laws and regulations to ensure that government itself obeys its own laws," Odunlami said

Also speaking the National President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners TPL. Nathaniel Atebije said members should follow the trend of exponential change in innovation and technology and adopt a new strategy that can bridge the gap for free flow of ideas among relevant MDAs.

According to Atebije, "as planners, we know that ideas are activated through strategy and at the National level, we shall soon launch our Ten-year Strategic Development Plan.

Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi  disclosed that all government ministries, agencies and departments have been working in synergy to ensure development across the state.

He stressed that though the current administration is facing the challenge of implementation of the developmental plan of Ogun state because it was not followed by the other administration, Governor Abiodun's administration has been working to correct this.

"Some build a whole estate without any form of communication with any regulatory body, creating problems in the building and planning sector".

In his remarks, NITP Chairman, Ogun State Chapter TPL. Adefela Sogbesan said to prevent haphazard development and promote sustainable growth in the state, people should always consult experts in the built industry before putting up a structure, adding that lack of proper planning undermines the state's development, leading to potential environmental planning hazards. 

His words, "I want to advice residents to consult professionals. In this part of the world, we don't consult professionals. For example, you want to buy land to build a school. Some buy the land where that scheme is meant for residential, and after doing all the necessary things, realise that they are building at the wrong place because you didn't consult professionals". 

"We choose this topic to bring some of the departments and agencies, especially those that have direct access to the built industry, with the hope that we will be able to  relate together and see how we can move the industry forward."