The Federal Government has announced plans to review the national urban development policy as well as implement urban renewal and slum across the country.
The minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola stated this at 2019 World Habitat Day and World Cities Day in Abuja, said the programme will be in partnership with United Nations Habitat. He said the new policy would accommodate issues not captured in the old policy.
Represented by the minister of state, Abubakar Aliyu, an engineer, called for a collective reflection, stocktaking and strengthening partnerships, to accelerate action in the pursuit for sustainable urban development in Nigeria.
Fashola also said, “we all have the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and build the type of cities we desire for our good health and well-being, and for that of our future generation.”
According to minister, Muhammadu Buhari administration has not relented in its commitment to making sure that citizens have a better life by addressing the housing and infrastructure challenges.
“There are ones establish by unplanned cities which led to increased slums and shanties. We are working towards creating smart and sustainable cities across the nation,” he emphasised.
He, therefore, listed the various programmes already embarked upon by Federal Government, as on-going national housing programme, and the launch of the national maintenance framework for a public building.
Also speaking, permanent secretary, Mohammed Bukar, said the celebration of the World Cities Day around the world was to enable them view cities as drivers and incubators of innovations, industries, and technology.
He also explained that entrepreneurship and creativity are important components in ground breaking ways to achieve lasting impacts on the communities, “No one and no place is left behind as we build the future we want.”
In her contribution, the executive director, UN-HABITAT, Mrs. Maimunah Moh Sharif, called on stakeholders to identify ways to overcome challenges confronting urbanisation in a way that everyone’s life could be improved.
Sharif represented by Human Settlement Officer, Dr. Omoayena Odunbaku, noted that cities are the best place of innovation and creativity, assuring that they would be ready to fully support the Federal Government in her bid to create sustainable urbanization.
On his part, chairman, senate committee on housing, Senator Sam Egwu represented by his Vice, Senator Oyelola Isa Ashiru, pledged the Committee’s full support towards achieving sustainable development of the cities.
Source: Guardianng
