‘Uncontrolled growths responsible for slum proliferation’

The Head of Department, Urban and Regional Development, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Olasunkanmi Dunmoye, has said uncontrolled and unplanned growths were among the factors responsible for the proliferation of slums in the country.

Dumoye, who spoke in Abuja during the launch of the first annual policy dialogue series on sustainable human settlements in Nigeria during the week, said most Nigerian cities were battling with the uncontrolled and unplanned growths.

He, however, said if urbanisation was well-managed, it would create opportunities for a better life, and a pathway for a sustainable environment.

“Permit me to reiterate that urbanisation if well managed has the potential of creating opportunities for a better life, and it will provide a pathway for a sustainable environment and act as an engine of economic growth and sustainable human settlements development.

“Let us remind ourselves that cities in Nigeria have been battling with uncontrolled and unplanned growths as well as inadequate provision of basic services such as water and sanitation, solid waste management, transportation, health and education, which has led to increases in the proliferation of slums settlements nationwide,” he said.

Also speaking, the lead speaker, Prof. Johnson Falade, who joined the meeting through virtual, said there was the need for proper research and data gathering to enable the stakeholders understand the current housing situation in the country.

In his keynote address, the special guest of honour, who is also the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, (NITP), Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, charged the ministry and relevant stakeholders to fashion out policies that would promote resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements.

Leave a Reply