By Ukpa Ewa
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Dr. Ossy Onuko, has charged staff of the agency to embrace excellence, professionalism and dedication as the Authority begins a new phase of operation tagged “ACTDA 2.0.”
Dr. Onuko gave the charge during a one day staff retreat held on May 13, in Awka, Anambra State, with the theme “Planning, Development and Regulatory Compliance.”
The retreat brought together staff of the agency, development control officers, Journalists and resource persons from different professional fields.
In his opening remarks, the ACTDA Boss said the retreat was organised to reposition staff for improved service delivery and urged participants to pay serious attention to the lectures. According to him, the agency was undergoing structural reforms aimed at injecting new life and vigor into the workforce following his reappointment for another four year tenure.
He noted that the renewed mandate was not to continue with past achievements alone but to accelerate development and improve on previous successes, stressing that the agency must remain focused on achieving greater milestones for Ndi Anambra.
Delivering his keynote address, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Olutoyin Ayinde, emphasized the importance of planning, development and regulatory compliance in building safer and sustainable cities.
Ayinde warned that poor planning contributes to building collapse, traffic congestion, environmental degradation and unsafe developments, stressing the need for strict adherence to planning regulations and global best practices in urban development.
Also speaking, Legal Adviser to ACTDA, Barr. Lawrence Nwangwu, urged staff to acquaint themselves with laws guiding development control within the capital territory, including the Awka Capital Territory Development Law 2020 and other policy guidelines necessary for effective service delivery.
In his presentation on “Organizational Leadership: Keys Needed to Effectively Execute a Vision,” the facilitator, Peter Nwokoye emphasized the need for clarity of purpose, teamwork, value driven leadership, and continuous capacity building. He noted that personal development remains essential to organizational growth, while citing the development of Singapore as a case study in effective national development.
Moreso, A Public Relations expert and Brand Development Specialist, Mazi Ejimofor Opara PhD, who spoke on “Building the Capital’s Voice: Effective public Communication and Media Management for a new Awka, urged ACTDA to consistently tell its development stories, engage stakeholders and strengthen media relations in order to build public confidence in the agency.
The retreat also featured presentation by officials of Acciona Engineering and Sustainable Development Unit, a Spanish construction firm, on urban livability studies and the implementation of the Awka work plan under the African Cities Program.
The session, facilitated by Acciona Urban Development and Coordinating City Expert, Mohammed Kabiru Yari, centred on city profiling, urban planning, sustainability strategies and critical infrastructure development aimed at transforming Awka into a modern capital city.
Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information Anambra State
