Abuja planning – falling behind its shadow (I)

viewing the likes of the newly completed World Trade Center, Churchgate, NNPC Towers and other side attractions prior to arriving at the Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton, Chelsea or Nicon Luxury Hotels and others.The successful implementation of the landmark structures that now become wonderful attractions, most of which are in the first phase of the city’s development, […]

viewing the likes of the newly completed World Trade Center, Churchgate, NNPC Towers and other side attractions prior to arriving at the Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton, Chelsea or Nicon Luxury Hotels and others.
The successful implementation of the landmark structures that now become wonderful attractions, most of which are in the first phase of the city’s development, is the product of almost six years of elaborate and painstaking planning activity, which took place between 1976 and 1982 and the strict compliance with the development requirements afterwards. Actual physical development commenced in 1982. From that time to now we have had nine federal regimes. It was only in the first two governments from the commencement of the development that we witnessed strict compliance with the master plan proposal devoid of any element of land grab. Also, it was only these two Heads of Government that had no plot in Abuja when they were in power, unlike those that came after them.
In those days, respect was accorded planning. We had professionals that would courageously advice a Chief Executive against taking a decision that would be detrimental to the city plans and ultimately, its sustainability. At the same time, the leadership accepted and complied with professional advice of their subordinates. For those conversant with the original plan of the city and today witness the prevailing destruction of whatever was to be in the plan, it is a witness to the destruction of once upon a beautiful plan and attempt for having a dream Capital City for Nigeria as was intended.
Truly there was change in the resettlement policy, but that was never meant to distort the plan or the various land use proposals in the city as we are witnessing today. We can categorically assert that, even the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, had it not been already implemented long before now, the space meant for it would today have been encroached upon for the selfish gains of some individuals in power. Planning and politics are supposed to be complementary partners, but in our dear land, the politicians dangerously drag planning to the mud. Sadly, with the connivance of some of the planners that are supposed to defend the plans they labour to produce.
The beauty of a city is not only on the number of magnificent buildings above the surface, but more depends on what is buried underneath to provide the infrastructure for the city’s services and it’s sustainability. Abuja is planned with the central sewage system as all the world modern cities. It entails the construction and burying of the sewers under the surface before the commencement of developments overhead, though not directly on the service lines.
But in a situation where many districts were wholly built prior to the provision of these facilities, we only have two options. That is to forego the central sewage system and continue living with the ancient soak-away system with septic tanks, or to demolish the whole districts to provide the facilities before rebuilding the houses. Unfortunately, this is the prevailing situation in all those lands that were allocated for mass housing developments. Sadly, it also affects the whole Gwarinpa FHA houses that would have been Wupa and Bunkoro districts of the Phase III of the city development.
Our normal tradition was the commissioning of a consulting firm to prepare the broad land use plans of the phases of the city development as a guide to that of the detailed districts development plans, and the subsequent individual plots developments. Unfortunately, due to the haste for land grab, this vital procedure is jettisoned, because plot allocations in most of the new districts precede the land use plans, akin to putting the cart before the horse. (To continue)