Governor Godwin Obaseki has challenged the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development (MPPHURD) to bring organization and sanity to Edo State’s physical structures within six months. He made this call during the ministry’s annual retreat in Abudu, Edo South Senatorial district.
Obaseki expressed concern over the proliferation of slums and illegal structures, stating, “What keeps me awake at night is the sight of our city sprawling with huge slums.” He urged the ministry to take personal responsibility for correcting this menace, warning that jobs will be on the line if visible progress is not made.
The Governor lamented the impact of illegal markets and houses on infrastructure, saying, “We build roads, but they’re soon covered by filth. People extend their homes and trade on the streets, causing confusion and crisis.”
He challenged the participants to resist attempts by lawless residents to undermine the system.
Obaseki’s support for the MPPHURD has been unwavering, but he warned that he expects to see tangible results within six months.
He attributed the chaos in Edo’s built environment to the lack of policy direction from previous governments and the failure to put a functional system in place.
The retreat, themed “Building Synergies Through Effective Collaboration,” aims to analyze global best practices in physical planning and urban development and brainstorm ways to collaborate and bring sanity to Edo State’s built environment.
