A foremost environmental management consultant De-Mbarukas Limited has been appointed by Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) as a consultant to ensure Effective Monitoring of Telecommunication Base Stations and Collapsible Structures within Uyo Capital City.
This occurred on Friday 19th April 2024, during a one-day seminar/training organized by UCCDA in conjunction with De-Mbarukas Limited for town planners and development-oriented stakeholders in the state at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo.
Addressing participants at the event, the Chairman of UCCDA, Hon. Anietie Eka, charged Town Planners and consultants to ensure the safe and orderly proliferation of Telecommunication Base Stations and Collapsible Structures within the radius of UCCDA.
She was represented by the Head of Town Planning UCCDA, TPL. Edidiong Edoho, the Chairman said effective monitoring of telecommunication base stations and collapsible structures was paramount to safeguarding public safety and urban aesthetics.
For the critical task ahead, the Chairman urged the consultants and development stakeholders to collaborate closely with UCCDA and uphold rigorous standards to benefit the city’s well-being.
In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director of De-Mbarukas Limited, Mr. Joseph Akpan, expressed gratitude for the appointment and commended the government for including the beautification of Akwa Ibom State as one of the objectives of the Arise’s Agenda. Mr. Akpan, charged participants and citizens to take advantage of the gains of the event, stressing that “the future of town planning in Akwa Ibom is the emergence of a Smart City. He emphasized that commitment is needed to ensure that telecommunication companies adhere to standards and regulations set by regulating bodies.
He finally urged development stakeholders to apply the insights gained during the event to enhance the monitoring efforts to ensure Uyo Capital City thrives with safe and well-managed collapsible structures for sustainable growth.
The event featured paper presentations by an academic scholar and town planner, Dr. Ekong Daniel, an accomplished environmentalist, Dr. Ime Ukpe, and a renowned legal expert, Barrister Mfon Ben.
Some of the papers presented were “Town Planning Practice and the Development of Uyo Capital City,” “The Implementation Strategy for Enforcement of Compliance by UCCDA Consultants on Telecommunication Masts and Collapsible Structures,” among others.
TPL Ekong Daniel of the Department of Public Administration, Akwa Ibom State University while speaking on the topic of Town planning practice and development of Uyo capital city stressed the importance of adhering to city planning rules such as obstruction-free zones along each major road as it minimizes accident rates and improves aesthetics of Uyo Capital City.
In his presentation, a renowned environmentalist and City Planner, Dr. Ime Ukpe, made a strong point for a cradle-to-grave approach in the monitoring of telecommunication base station activity within Uyo Capital city to ensure environmental, health and safety.
The third presenter, a renowned lawyer and former Local Government chairman in Uyo, and principal partner Mfon Ben and Associates, Barr Mfon Ben, provided insight into the legal framework establishing Uyo Capital City Development Authority as enshrined in the laws of Akwa Ibom State. He also explained the wide range of powers bestowed on the organization within the Uyo Capital City Development Area.
Our inquiries revealed that items grouped as collapsible Structures include;
Temporary event tents or canopies, Portable/temporary stages, Mobile food stands or food kiosks, Exhibition booths or stands, Mobile toilets, Pop-up shops or retail kiosks, Portable/temporary seating structures, Mobile medical clinics, due to visual aesthetics and safety considerations, Petty fruit and grocery shops.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the monitoring team of De-Mbarukas Limited by the representative of the UCCDA Chairman.
