Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has given the task of creating a world class city like the Dubai Model City to the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, Anambra State chapter.

They will, in partnership with the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, ACTDA, develop an effective urban master plan for the Awka Capital Territory, in addition to building high class and modern architectural structures to add to the beauty of the state.

Speaking to members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Anambra State chapter, who visited him at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka, Governor Obiano charged them to be more innovative in their drawings and designs.

The Governor harped on building an orderly and sanitized environment as well as finding the best way to manage environmental waste.

He tasked the NIA members to find solutions that will ensure orderliness and environmental sanitation that would propel sustainable development.

He also asked that they develop a system that would help control land use and institute compliance with space standards and approved designs.

Responding, the State Chairman of NIA, Peter Okpala, commended the Governor for his outstanding commitment towards transforming the Awka Capital Territory.

He also lauded him for ensuring that while transformation was going on, priority was also given to the safety of the lives and property of the people through the Governor’s handling of the problem of building collapse which erupted in the early days of his administration.

Governor Willie Obiano has received the finished product of the Aerial Photography Awka Capital Territory Area from the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority.The presentation of the product took place at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

The Aerial photography which was shown at a very high resolution of 18 centimeters, will assist in various aspects of planning and development of the Awka Capital Territory which involves all towns within 10 kilometre radius centering at Amawbia junction.

Receiving the product, Governor said his administration is gradually addressing the infrastructural inadequacies in the State Capital Territory with a view to making the area one of the best develop capital territories in the world.

The Governor described the completion of the aerial mapping as critical in ensuring proper planning and execution of their mandates by line Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the areas of Agriculture, Works, Lands, Environment among others.

He further revealed that the State Government has received proposals from about four international town planning firms bidding to develop the master plan for the Awka Capital Territory, adding that the proposals are being professionally scrutinized by the State Tenders Board after which the best suitable firm will be announced.

According to the Governor, the selected firm will use the already completed aerial photography as basis for a master plan that will ensure that the Awka Capital Territory is fully developed with full cpmpliments of a modern capital territory.

In a presentation, a structural Engineer with Aeropresica, the firm that conducted the aerial photography, Dr Kamal Azaz said the exercise was carried out in compliance with global best practices in the field and will avail the state the best option in development of the master plan for its capital.

The Chairman of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr Chika Egwuatu said they are adopting a multi-city concept where all towns within the Capital Territory will witness massive infrastructural upgrade and super highways provided to link them so as to reduce traffic congestion, population explosion and over centralization of projects in the Awka city.

He noted that while the state awaits the development and actual implementation of the Master plan for the territory, the Authority is in the interim, setting up a viable Development Control Department to coordinate the sitting of property in the area within the framework of the Development Control Manuel it has earlier published.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Mr Mike Okonkwo said by completing the exercise, Anambra has joined the few states including Abuja and Nassarawa, to achieve the feat adding that the product will make it easier for government to plan without demolition as well as avoid the unnecessary claims for compensation arising from such demolitions.

Cjrane2:


Hopefully, we shall have a culture of developing the entire city using housing estates and enforcing the Awka masterplan in each estate.

People often erroneously think Abuja is beautiful because it has got nice duplexes. Abuja is what it is because they try to enforce the city masterplan.

A well planned Mombassa Kenya estate with houses lined up properly, streets made with interlocking stones and flowers planted along the streets will match any high cost Abuja area. But if you look closely, the beauty is because it is well planned and streets are paved with interlocking stones.