The Annals Of Physical Planning Problems -By Kabiru Usman Usman Hassan

Physical Planning in its broadest sense refers to a set of actions aimed at improving the Physical, Social and Economic welfare of a place and its dwellers as well as to provide a vision for sustainable growth and development of a city by setting out policies to guide relationships among land uses, built form, mobility, community facilities and physical infrastructure.

Thus, as a professional town planner with 16 years experience in town planning and Regional development planning who has strong interest in the build and natural environment it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that people are well informed with regard to physical planning as we have a responsibility to protect the environment.

Similarly, understanding the Demolishing principles in Nigeria is not for novice. However, the few instances, where a property can be demolished by Federal or State Government through its Planning Board/Authority, are:

1. Where property was built contrary to the terms and conditions of a development permit/approval
2. Where right of occupancy of the land on which a property is built has been cancelled or revoked for non compliance with the requirements of the Land Use Act, 1978. Like issues of illegal change of purpose of use, prohibited transactions and non payment of rents/taxes among others.
3. Where it is the opinion of government, that any person, has contravened an existing scheme. In this case, the Land and building as well as any goods or even furniture on such land may be forfeited, too.
Moreover the developer might channel his resentment after a notice of revocation was served.

References;
1. Sections 43(2), 61, 76(3) and 92 of Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act, 1992 and similar laws across states in Nigeria.
2. Sections 28(5) and 52 of the Land Use Act, 1978.
3. Sections 43, 44, 45 and 319 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Dr. Hassan is the Director General Gombe Geographic Information Systems