Emma Elekwa
Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), 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.”
Onuko gave the charge during a one-day staff retreat held in Awka, themed, “Planning, Development and Regulatory Compliance”.
The event attracted development control officers, journalists and resource persons from different professional fields.
According to ACTDA boss, the retreat was organised to reposition staff for improved service delivery and urged participants to accord the exercise the seriousness it deserved.
“The agency is undergoing structural reforms aimed at injecting new life and vigor into the workforce following my reappointment for another four-year tenure.
“The renewed mandate is not to continue with past achievements alone but to accelerate development and improve on previous successes.
“ACTDA must remain focused on achieving greater milestones for Ndi Anambra,” he added.
Importance of planning
Former President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde, emphasized the importance of planning, development and regulatory compliance in building safer and sustainable cities.
He warned that poor planning contributes to building collapse, traffic congestion, environmental degradation and unsafe developments.
Ayinde stressed the need for strict adherence to planning regulations and global best practices in urban development.
Also speaking, Legal Adviser to ACTDA, 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 remained essential to organizational growth, while citing the development of Singapore as a case study in effective national development.
Media management
A Public Relations expert and Brand Development Specialist, Mazi Ejimofor Opara spoke on “Building the Capital’s Voice: Effective public Communication and Media Management for a new Awka.
He 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.
