Bauchi Assembly Passes Bill to Repeal 2022 Physical Planning Law

By, Rabiu Ishaq Muhammad
The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed into law a Bill seeking to repeal the Bauchi State Physical Planning and Development Control Board Law, 2022, and enact the Bauchi State Urban Planning and Development Control Board Law, 2026.

The passage followed consideration of the report of the House Committee on Lands and Survey during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Dr Abubakar Y. Suleiman.

The Chairman of the Committee, Musa Wakili Nakwada, presented and moved the report for legislative consideration, after which members scrutinized the provisions of the proposed legislation before its passage.

He said the new law empowers the Bauchi State Urban Planning and Development Control Board to implement state policies on urban and regional planning as formulated by the Ministry of Lands and Survey.

According to him, the Board is also empowered to implement regional, sub-regional and urban master plans, as well as development control policies relating to state owned lands.

Musa Nakwada added that, under the new law, the Board is expected to consult and coordinate with the Federal, State and Local Governments in the implementation of physical development plans.

The Chairman of the committee noted that, It is also responsible for preparing and submitting annual progress reports on the implementation of national and state physical development plans as they affect Bauchi State.

He therefore hinted that, the law further gives the Board development control powers over lands reserved or situated within rights of way in urban centres across the state.

Musa Wakili Nakwada opined that, such lands may be regulated for purposes including land expansion, drainage expansion, provision of public utilities, parking spaces and other uses considered necessary for the safety, comfort and commercial activities of local communities.