Paul Nekabari Visigah
Douglas
Summary
With over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Planner and Environmental Consultant, I specialize in land management, EIA, planning design, resilience planning, and development management. I have a proven track record of successfully delivering projects in diverse sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and mixed-use developments. Throughout my career, I have strictly adhered to planning legislation and policy frameworks, ensuring compliance at all times. My expertise in UK planning legislation allows me to effectively lead multidisciplinary teams on large-scale infrastructure projects. I have extensive experience in the full EIA process and have played a significant role in planning policy development. This demonstrates my comprehensive understanding of both strategic and procedural planning. I am now seeking an opportunity to leverage my strategic planning expertise, client relationship management skills, and sustainable development practices to contribute to AtkinsRéalis's commitment to innovative planning solutions and a better future. As a professional with a deep understanding of urban and regional planning, I am prepared to drive strategic initiatives and enhance organizational impact. I am skilled in project management, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement with a strong focus on team collaboration and delivering results. Known for my adaptability and dependability in dynamic environments, I am also proficient in GIS, land use planning, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
Senior Planning Officer
Isle of Man Government
06.2020 - Current
- Delivered balanced, policy-driven recommendations on complex applications, ensuring sustainable and compliant development
- Streamlined processes and facilitated appropriate development across a diverse portfolio, from residential projects to major infrastructure
- Provided well-founded recommendations, contributing to successful outcomes
- Negotiated and engaged stakeholders, ensuring rigorous planning standards and environmentally sensitive developments
- Ensured strict adherence to Isle of Man and UK planning legislation in directing comprehensive applications
- Performed detailed compliance analyses, with experience in legislation similar to the UK's TCPA
- Led the planning application and oversaw the Eastern Civic Amenity Site development, boosting wildflower habitat by 50% and recycling capacity by 200-300%
- Managed the Port Erin Marine Biological Station mixed-use redevelopment, coordinating consultants and negotiating Section 13 (S106) agreements for ecological mitigation and offsite public open space
- Negotiated with developers on 17 complex planning applications, resolving issues and securing agreements for biodiversity offsets, affordable housing, and offsite highway improvements
- Collaborated with government agencies and local authorities, streamlining approvals for environmental projects
- Contributed to the EIA review methodology, providing recommendations on site sampling and baseline assessments, reducing average review times
- Provided expert pre-application advice on large-scale developments, covering EIA scoping, methodology, statutory consultee engagement, and mitigation strategies
- Implemented proactive mediation and negotiation, achieving a 60+% conclusion rate for applications within 8 weeks
- Navigated the Isle of Man's unique planning context, integrating its Biosphere designation and coastal and rural landscapes into development projects
- Contributed to the review and development of Isle of Man planning policies and regulations
Planning Officer
Isle of Man Government
04.2019 - 06.2020
Lecturer
Rivers State University
09.2018 - 03.2019
- Revitalized urban planning education at the Urban/Regional Planning Department with a data-driven curriculum integrating advanced spatial analysis and digital mapping tools
- Applied these technologies in the field while mentoring students and faculty
- Managed laboratory resources, staff, and operations, demonstrating strong organizational capabilities
- Achieved significant improvements in design delivery and high-performance standards
- Designed and implemented an innovative urban planning curriculum focused on advanced spatial analysis and digital mapping tools
- Achieved a 100% shift to digital quantitative studies and a 40%+ improvement in design delivery
- As Head of the Urban Information System/Planning Design laboratory, strategically transformed the faculty's approach by integrating cutting-edge technology and data analysis into Planning Design Studios
- Trained over 70 students (per semester) in the practical application of advanced planning technologies, maintaining 80%+ average pass rates across undergraduate and graduate planning and environment courses
- Managed laboratory resources and staff, overseeing equipment maintenance and software upgrades
- Achieved a 20% improvement in student performance through innovative teaching methods and hands-on training
- Fostered a collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to engage with cutting-edge technologies and apply them in practical scenarios
- Mentored junior faculty, providing guidance and support in integrating new technologies into design courses
Planning Consultant
Rivers State University
08.2016 - 03.2019
- Led major infrastructure projects, from site analysis to landscape and zoning plans, ensuring compliance with national standards
- Provided strategic planning advice, managed resources, and facilitated successful project delivery
- Fostering positive relationships with stakeholders and securing crucial grants for university development
- Spearheaded planning and land management for major university infrastructure projects valued over £8M
- Managed planning lifecycle for key developments at the University, from feasibility to oversight, ensuring NBC compliance
- Designed the Satellite Campus (Onne) Zoning plan, accelerating campus redevelopment by 30%
- Generated comprehensive Planning Reports, securing over £4.16M in Federal Government grants
- Advised the Director of Physical Planning, leveraging extensive knowledge of planning legislation, design guides, and best environmental practices
- Collaborated with external consultants, contractors, and stakeholders, fostering positive relationships
Principal Technologist
Rivers State University
10.2017 - 09.2018
Planning Lead & Consultant
United States Department of State
04.2017 - 11.2017
- Company Overview: Secondary Cities (2C) Map PH Project, an initiative of the Office of the Geographer of the United States of America
- Led critical urban resilience projects in Port Harcourt, integrating geospatial tools and technologies for data generation, management, and decision-making
- Directed multidisciplinary teams, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and securing project funding
- Led planning for the complex project, defining scope, assessing staff skills, and engaging stakeholders
- Directed and managed a 54-member multidisciplinary project team, optimizing workflows and resource allocation
- Co-led the strategic development of the Preliminary Disaster Management Plan for Port Harcourt
- Streamlined engagement tools and processes, consistently meeting targets within a two-week timeframe
- Advocated for project funding, securing support by articulating technical and financial requirements
- Represented Nigeria's technical expertise at the 2017 South Africa Technical Exchange
- Demonstrated financial acumen by managing project budgets, delivering projects within approved budgets, and achieving a 15% surplus
- Cultivated positive relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Secondary Cities (2C) Map PH Project, an initiative of the Office of the Geographer of the United States of America
Senior Technologist
Rivers State University
10.2012 - 10.2017
GIS/Data Management Expert
Shell Nigeria
10.2013 - 03.2014
- Company Overview: ISR (Ogoniland Restoration Project), an independent verification exercise for remediated sites executed by Shell contractors
- Led critical urban planning and remediation initiatives, optimizing project workflows and ensuring data accuracy
- Directed multidisciplinary teams, providing expert consultancy, and enhancing stakeholder engagement
- Directed a 7-person multidisciplinary team, streamlining site selection and investigation methodologies
- Provided expert planning consultancy, reviewing land use and remediation reports for post-remediation sites
- Championed data quality, ensuring compliance with sampling protocols, achieving 98% mapping accuracy
- Designed post-sampling mapping protocols, managed sample chain of custody and project database
- Engaged and managed interactions with stakeholders and agencies
- Oversaw project management processes, ensuring adherence to health and safety principles
- ISR (Ogoniland Restoration Project), an independent verification exercise for remediated sites executed by Shell contractors
Party Chief (GIS)/Planning Lead
The World Bank
04.2013 - 06.2013
- Company Overview: Malaria Control Booster Project for Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas, Rivers State
- Contributed to the winning technical proposal for this World Bank-funded project
- Led a 29-member field team, overseeing staff negotiations, field activities, security, and reporting
- Managed project processes, budgeting, and financial planning, achieving 41% project profitability
- Conducted ground-truthing assessments, verifying environmental data accuracy
- Compiled and translated field data into comprehensive progress reports
- Implemented a weekly project tracking system, resulting in a 90%+ improvement in team performance
- Malaria Control Booster Project for Ikwerre and Etche Local Government Areas, Rivers State
Technologist 1
Rivers State University
06.2008 - 10.2012
RSUST Field Logistics Coordinator/Data Management Expert/Land Access Expert
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
01.2010 - 04.2011
- Company Overview: Ogoniland Environmental Assessment
- Showcased exceptional planning and environmental management skills
- Directed complex assessments, ensuring rigorous data integrity and timely milestones
- Provided strategic leadership within the Ogoniland Environmental Assessment
- Directed a 110+ member multidisciplinary team
- Spearheaded data management and GIS implementation
- Led stakeholder engagement and negotiations, securing site access agreements
- Mediated cross-community conflicts, reducing reoccurrences by over 80%
- Conducted comprehensive site reconnaissance surveys
- Ogoniland Environmental Assessment
Education
Master of Science - Developing and Transitional Regions
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Urban And Regional Planning
Rivers State University of Science And Technology
Port Harcourt, Nigeria03-2002
Skills
- UK Planning Regulations & Compliance
- Project Management
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Strategic Planning & Policy Development
- Planning Lifecycle Management (Feasibility to Oversight)
- Client Relationship Management
- Land Management
- Negotiation & Mediation
Certification
- Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), 2020
- Registered Town Planner (Chartered), Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), 2017
- Corporate Member (MNITP), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (MNITP), 2014
- Member, American Association of Geographers (AAG), 2017
- Certificate of Recognition, American Association of Geographers (AAG), 2017
- Certified Carbon Literate, Earthscope Isle of Man, 2024
- FAA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF), Nuco Training Ltd, 2024 - 2027
Personal Information
Title: MRTPI, RTP, MNITP, MSc. B. Tech.
Affiliations
- Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI)
- Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (RTP)
- Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (MNITP)
- American Association of Geographers (MAAG)
Volunteering
Nigeria (Chapter) Lead, African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), Sep 2018 - Nov 2020
§ Led ACEN in Nigeria: Increased membership by 400% through strategic partnerships with local and international entities.
§ International Representation: Represented Nigeria in international forums, enhancing the visibility of African circular economy initiatives. Delivered insights as a speaker and panelist on the topic 'Can Africa Become a Circular Continent?' at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Disruptive Innovation Festival (DIF) in November 2018.
§ Expert Contributions: Contributed to the "Circular Economy in Africa-EU Cooperation Country Report for Nigeria" and the World Economic Forum's "Five Bets for the African Circular Economy."
§ Policy Advocacy: Advocated for policy changes and regulatory support for circular economy initiatives.
▪ Member, RTPI Northwest Regional Activities Committee (Policy & Research Task Group), 1/2021 to 12/2024.
▪ Member Board of Trustees, African Circular Economy Innovation Organisation, 07/2018 to present.
▪ Country Representative (Nigeria), African Circular Economy Network, 9/2017 – Present.
CEC Local organizer, Circular Economy Club, 7/2017 – 3/2019.
§ Pioneered circular economy initiatives as the first CEC local organizer (Port Harcourt), advocating for sustainable practices across various sectors.
§ Led comprehensive data collection and mapping of public and private sector CE activities, contributing valuable insights to the CEC Global Database.
§ Built a robust network of CE enterprises and startups, facilitating the adoption of CE principles through strategic partnerships.
§ Collaborated with government agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions, promoting CE awareness and initiatives.
§ Organized and conducted workshops and training sessions for businesses and the community on circular economy practices.
Timeline
Senior Planning Officer
Isle of Man Government
06.2020 - Current
Planning Officer
Isle of Man Government
04.2019 - 06.2020
Lecturer
Rivers State University
09.2018 - 03.2019
Principal Technologist
Rivers State University
10.2017 - 09.2018
Planning Lead & Consultant
United States Department of State
04.2017 - 11.2017
Planning Consultant
Rivers State University
08.2016 - 03.2019
GIS/Data Management Expert
Shell Nigeria
10.2013 - 03.2014
Party Chief (GIS)/Planning Lead
The World Bank
04.2013 - 06.2013
Senior Technologist
Rivers State University
10.2012 - 10.2017
RSUST Field Logistics Coordinator/Data Management Expert/Land Access Expert
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
01.2010 - 04.2011
Technologist 1
Rivers State University
06.2008 - 10.2012
- Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), 2020
- Registered Town Planner (Chartered), Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), 2017
- Corporate Member (MNITP), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (MNITP), 2014
- Member, American Association of Geographers (AAG), 2017
- Certificate of Recognition, American Association of Geographers (AAG), 2017
- Certified Carbon Literate, Earthscope Isle of Man, 2024
- FAA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF), Nuco Training Ltd, 2024 - 2027
Master of Science - Developing and Transitional Regions
Oxford Brookes University
Bachelor of Science - Urban And Regional Planning
Rivers State University of Science And Technology
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