Why So Few Real Solutions?
Large Majority of Urban Africans Live in Slums
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Here are excerpts of a news item from the East African Standard (Nairobi, Kenya). Do any of the people mentioned here have any clues about how to eliminate poverty? What would you do about it if you were a Senator? |
by Samuel Otieno
About 72 per cent of urban populations in Africa still live in slums and informal settlements, a United Nations official has said.UN Habitat Executive Director, Anna Tibaijuka, said cities in Africa contribute more than 60 per cent of the gross domestic product, but fail to provide adequate housing and basic services. She was addressing a panel of the United States senate comprising of senators Mel Martinez, Russ Feingold and Barak Obama on urbanisation and housing in Africa.
"If the international community does not act now to support African initiatives, we will pay dearly in the future in terms of the social upheaval that rapid, chaotic urbanisation is bound to unleash, both in Africa and beyond," she said.
The chairman of the Senate African Affairs subcommittee, Republican Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, said massive population shifts in Africa had raised serious policy issues for African governments.
"Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest urbanising region in the world," said Martinez.
He said the rapid rate of urbanisation had serious economic, social and health implications, adding that social disorder simmers in this region because of overcrowding and economic despair.
"In 1994, the urban population in Africa was approximately 172 million. By 2004 it had grown to 264 million", he said.
Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin acknowledged the need for US policy makers to take seriously the challenge of urbanisation in Africa.
"Where do we begin?" he asked Tibaijuka.
She outlined policy reform, institutional development and appropriate finance as key areas of concern. Tibaijuka said the African private sector had the capital to invest in housing and basic services, but lacked incentives. African governments also needed to reform policy and legal frameworks to make this happen, she said.
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Also see: Foldvary: Land Aid for Africa
Lindy Davies: Bedtime in Paradise
Who Owns Africa's Water? |
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