The Nigeria Institute of Town Planner (NITP) and Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria, (TOPREC) on Wednesday sought for an equitable compensation for the planning professionals across all sectors.
Nathaniel Atebije, the National President of NITP, , made the call at the 25th edition of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program, MCPDP held in Abeokuta.
Atebije explained that equitable compensation would help establish and uphold standards and value in their professional engagements.
Speaking on the theme“ Building Capacity For Change Management And Compensation In Urban And Regional Planning Practice” Atebije said that securing an appropriate fees for services rendered speaks directly to the sustainability and growth of the profession.
He noted that the country was experiencing a significant shift in its economic and regulatory environment, urging the planners to unlearn and relearn new strategies to survive these changes.
He explained that embracing new technological tools, strategies, and insights will effectively navigate and foster change within the profession.
He said “ Change management is a critical discipline in our rapidly transforming world. It demands understanding, adaptation and a proactive attitude towards emerging challenges and opportunities.
“ Nigeria is going through some difficult and significant shifts in its economic, technological and regulatory environments; this should provoke or stimulate our ability to manage and lead through these changes.
“ It is also intended to ensure that professionals in Nigeria are rightly compensated. The issue of securing appropriate fees for services rendered speaks directly to the sustainability and growth of our professional community. It is essential that we establish and uphold standards that ensure fairness, transparency and value in all our professional engagements”.
In his remarks, Isyaku Kura, President of the Town Planners Registration Council Of Nigeria, TOPREC, explained that the professionals deserves salaries and benefits that reflect their expertise, responsibilities and impact.
He maintained that by building capacity for change management and advocating for fair compensation, member can empower themselves to shape a brighter future.
Also speaking, Olatunji Odunlami, the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, noted that the theme was appropriate given how technology is evolving and challenging established customs and methods of doing things.
“ The theme for this training program could not have come at a better time than now as it speaks to the subject matter of the rapid changes happening everyday around us and the challenges of developing effectively adaptation of coping mechanisms.
“ We must adopt new practices such as leveraging on and keeping abreast of new technologies, running real offices, developing top competencies and engaging in collaboration to derive maximum compensation from our enterprise.