The Makurdi Capital Development Authority (MCDA) was set up in 1976. This was replaced two (2) years later by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), which was established in 1978.

The Benue State Urban Development Board is a creation of the Urban Development Board edict No. 8 of 1986. The Board was created to, among other functions, administer, execute and enforce the provisions of the town and country planning law. The Board is therefore empowered to plan, promote and secure the physical development and regional development policies, plans and activities in respect of all urban areas of the state.

It is instructive to add that it was the desire of government to eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks, which believe the ministries that were handling physical planning and development functions that informed the creation of the Urban Development Board as a specialized unit to meet the urban development needs of the state.

Departments of the Board

The Board has five (5) main departments now.

i. Administration

ii. Town Planning

iii. Accounts

iv. Engineering

v. Audit.

two (2) additional departments viz:-

i. Community Relations and External Intervention Department.

ii. ICT Department.

Responsibilities and Functions of the Board

1. Approval of building plans for all developments for private, individuals and government organizations.

2. Monitoring and control of developments to conform to planning standards in all urban areas within the state.

3. Preparation of layout plans and master plans for all urban centers in the state.

4. Execution and enforcement of the provisions of the National Urban and Regional law.

5. Opening of access roads

6. Formulation, monitoring and coordination of physical and regional development policies, plans and activities.

7. The provision of flower/plant nursery for sale to the members of the public and for official use when the need arises.

8. Demolition of illegal structures

9. Acquisition and storage of data on all urban matters in the state.

10. Provision of technical assistance/consultancy services to provide individuals and government agencies.

11. Development and maintenance of parks and gardens and green areas

12. Street naming

13. Street signs and signage’s and house numbering

14. Provision of satellite towns where and when necessary to discourage influx of people from the suburbs to the city centre.

15. Preparation and implementation of landscape designs for public places and road corridors.

16. Preparation of prototype designs for government and private individuals.