Chinedum Treasure
Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has expressed concerns over prevalent practices of street trading in Nigeria, attributing it to poor planning.
National President, Dr Chime Ogbonna stated this on Friday in Awka, Anambra state during the body’s Eastern Planners Forum, themed, “Street Trading and Regional Development in Awka: Pathway to Urban-rural Integration and Labour Absorption”.
He said street trading existed as a result of unplanned settlements.
According to him, prepared masterplan accommodates all classes of people, including plants and animals.
He said, “There is future for everybody as far as the town planning profession his concerned. The masterplan prepared ahead of time, takes care of all classes of people, even animals and plants.
“The essence of preparation of masterplan is to ensure everybody is taken care of; be you governor, president, trader, mechanic or others.
“But the problem we have in the country, just like other developed countries, developments always presceed planning and when that is done, most of these elements in the universe are not taken care of.
“Street trading is abuse of plannings. It exists because our settlements are not planned ahead of time. If you take statistics of casualties who died while marketing their wares, you will be stunned.
“So our emphasis is that before any settlement takes off, there has to be a pre-planned masterplan to accommodate living and non living things.
“It is the duty of any elected government as the regulator of all human activity, to correct any misplanning in the polity.
“They should find a location where a specialised market should be built for the low-income earners. This could be like a relief market where shop rent will be reduced.
“What is important is for the people to know that these markets are meant for them, hence should be advised not to buy from anybody and get their allocation directly from government.”
Earlier, State Chairman, Igwilo Ifeanyi said the forum was another opportunity to review emerging planning challenges, share best practices, strengthen professional bonds and develop practical strategies that would improve quality of human settlement across the zones.
“The rapid pace of urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, housing deficits, traffic congestion, and increasing pressure on infrastructure demand innovative planning solutions and stronger inter-state cooperation,” he stressed.
Commissioner for Lands, Prof.Offornze Amucheazi reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to ensuring planning regulations are enforced, layouts are properly coordinated, and land administration support development that is people-centered and future-ready.
Amucheazi, represented by Permanent Secretary, Barr Mrs NKiru Muokwe acknowledged the indispensable critical role of professional town planners in achieving this vision from preparing master plans to advising on land use, to curbing indiscriminate development-your expertise.
“Government remains committed to working closely with NITP and other stakeholders to strengthen planning laws and their enforcement; promote sustainable urban and rural development; digitize land records and planning approvals for efficiency and transparency as well as support capacity building for planners in the state.
Delivering a paper on “Assessment of the Spatial Distribution of Street Traders in Awka and its Planning Implications”, Prof Chinedu Okoye of Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said street trading in Awka embodies both strengths and vulnerabilities of the informal economy.
“It is resilient, gendered, and indispensable, yet constrained by structural and spatial barriers that limit its potential.
“Addressing these barriers through targeted interventions will not only improve traders’ welfare but also enhance the inclusiveness and sustainability of urban development.
“This reinforces the study’s central argument: informal trading is not a marginal activity but a vital urban livelihood system that requires recognition, integration, and support within policy frameworks,” he added.
The engagement attracted members from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, and Anambra, the host State.
About Author
