The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed the Bauchi State Urban Planning and Development Control Board Law, 2026.
The development was sequel to the amendment of the Bauchi State Physical Planning and Development Control Board Law, 2022.
The legislation followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Lands and Survey, on Tuesday at the plenary.
Presenting the report, the committee chairman, Musa Nakwada, said the committee referred the bill for detailed legislative scrutiny.
He said the committee consulted relevant government agencies and examined similar institutional arrangements in neighbouring states.
According to Mr Nakwada, the proposed law seeks to strengthen urban and regional planning in the state by empowering the board to implement urban and regional planning policies.
He said the Ministry of Lands and Survey and the state government formulated or approved the policies.
The chairman said the board would also implement regional, sub-regional and urban master plans, as well as development control policies on state lands.
Mr Nakwada said the board would coordinate with the federal, state and local governments in implementing physical development plans.
He said the bill also provided for development control over lands reserved or situated within rights-of-way in urban centres across the state.
“The provision is intended to facilitate land expansion, drainage systems, utility provision, parking spaces and other uses that promote public safety, convenience and commercial activities,” he said.
Mr Nakwada said the committee also recommended greater public participation in preparing physical development plans.
He said relevant government institutions, non-governmental organisations and members of the public would be invited to submit contributions as inputs to draft physical development plans.
The chairman said other amendments adopted by the House included provisions empowering the governor, directly or through the commissioner, to issue general or specific directives to the board in discharging its functions.
“The provisions also cover the departments, procedures, duties and responsibilities of employees, as well as other general affairs of the board,” he said.
Mr Nakwada highlighted that designating an area as an urban centre came with significant planning and developmental responsibilities.
He said that effective urban planning would provide a framework for the orderly provision of infrastructure and public services.
This, he said, would also enable the government and other stakeholders to properly coordinate land use, transportation, drainage, utilities and other essential facilities.
“With the passage of the bill, the legislation now awaits the governor’s assent.
“Once assented to, the law will replace the 2022 legislation and establish the Bauchi State Urban Planning and Development Control Board as the institutional framework for urban planning and development control in the state,” he said.
(NAN)
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