A Safe And Sustainable Environment Is Achievable
ESV. Tayo Hassan
Permanent Sec., Osun state ministry of lands
The courtesy visit by the Urban Alert team to Osun State Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development was eventful. Urban Alert team was received by the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Nathaniel Agunbiade, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, ESV Tayo Hassan alongside TPL Oladejo (Director, Development Matters), and other key officials of the ministry.
In her address, Urban Alert’s Communications Officer, Oluwatosin Olarewaju thanked the government officials for welcoming the team and expressed the need to have a mutual relationship with the ministry to better the lives of the suffering masses in Osun State. In his words, Urban Alert’s Program Officer, Julius Ayowole spoke on the identification of social issues as relating to land and the built environment while enjoining government agencies like the Ministry of Lands to be proactive in making the society habitable to all.
TPL Oladejo appreciated the team for the visit while stating that government agencies cannot be everywhere at the same time, which implies that there is need for everyone to work together in building a safe and sustainable environment. He further appreciates the effort of the team towards helping the masses by swiftly reporting planning issues to the government. He also stated that the team’s efforts will help the government in enforcing planning standards and regulations in the built environment.
The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the team, stating that it is a well thought out idea as it is needed in the state at this time. In his words, even though achieving a safe and sustainable environment may be difficult, with the help of non-profit organizations like Urban Alert, it is achievable. He further suggested a courtesy call to the State Governor while requesting for a formal partnership agreement with Urban Alert in areas of land and urban development, if need be.