Motion on the Urgent Need for the Naming of Streets and Numbering of Houses in Ogoja Local Government AreaPresented by:Hon. Modey BonifaceCouncillor, Ogoja Urban Ward 1

Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State

Motion of Urgent Public Importance

Motion on the Urgent Need for the Naming of Streets and Numbering of Houses in Ogoja Local Government Area

Presented by:

Hon. Modey Boniface

Councillor, Ogoja Urban Ward 1

Date: [14th August 2025]

Co-sponsors By

Hon. Sunny Achang, Councillor Mbube East 1 and Deputy Leader of the House 

Hon Michael Atutu, Councillor Mbube West 2,

Hon. Otoro Illah Mary, Councillor Urban Ward 2.

PREAMBLE

Mr. Chairman, Honorable Leader of the House, Distinguished Councillors,

I, Hon. Boniface Modey Ufeni, rise to move a motion of urgent public importance concerning the critical need for the systematic naming of streets and numbering of houses within Ogoja Local Government Area, with particular reference to the rapidly expanding urban areas under my constituency, Ogoja Urban Ward 1.

WHEREAS:

1. Ogoja is evolving into a growing urban center with significant social, economic, and infrastructural developments. Yet, the absence of a properly organized address system through street naming and house numbering poses a challenge to effective urban governance.

2. The lack of identifiable addresses hinders emergency response services (such as police, fire, and ambulance), electoral processes, postal delivery, commercial logistics, and utility service provision.

3. Without named streets and numbered properties, Ogoja residents are deprived of basic address recognition, which is essential for security, taxation, census data collection, and development planning.

4. The National Addressing Policy of Nigeria encourages all Local Government Councils to take proactive steps in establishing and maintaining accurate street names and house numbers to support national development objectives.

5. Neighboring LGAs that have implemented similar initiatives are now experiencing enhanced coordination, governance, and commercial visibility.

THEREFORE, RESOLVED THAT:

1. This Honorable Council mandates the Department of Physical Planning, Works, and Survey of Ogoja Local Government to commence a comprehensive street naming and house numbering initiative, beginning with Ogoja Urban Ward 1 as a pilot scheme.

2. A Technical Implementation Committee be constituted immediately, consisting of:

Representatives of each ward

Traditional rulers and community elders

Landlords and residents associations

Officials from the Local Government Urban Planning Unit

Youth and women groups

3. The Executive Chairman of Ogoja LGA be urged to allocate specific budgetary resources in the forthcoming financial estimates for the implementation of the address system, and seek support from relevant state and federal agencies, such as NIPOST and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

4. The Council should undertake a public enlightenment campaign to sensitize residents on the importance, process, and benefits of this initiative.

5. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to transmit this resolution to the Executive Chairman of Ogoja LGA, the Cross River State Ministry of Lands & Urban Development, and other relevant stakeholders for immediate action.

CONCLUSION

Mr. Chairman and Honorable Councillors,

This motion addresses an infrastructural and administrative gap that continues to hamper our growth as an urban community. As the Councillor representing Ogoja Urban Ward 1, I believe this initiative will lay a strong foundation for modern urban administration, improve security, and enhance the quality of life for our constituents. I respectfully urge this honorable Council to adopt this motion and act swiftly in the interest of public good.

Thank you and God bless Ogoja Local Government Area.