Hon Mike Sebalu contributes to the Motion on the floor of the House yesterday
Hon
Nancy ABisai, the mover of the resolution urging the EAC Council of
Ministers to develop a Regional Urban Policy for the Community
The
Assembly is urging the EAC Council of Ministers to develop a regional
urban planning policy for the bloc to have better co-ordinated cities
and cross-border towns and put in place remedial measures to disasters.
A
Resolution to that effect was adopted by the Assembly at its Sitting
yesterday. The Resolution moved by Hon Nancy Abisai further wants the
Council of
Ministers to establish an Urban Development Desk at the EAC to
co-ordinate urban development matters in the region. In order to
harmonise ideas and have a regional position on Habitat 111 agenda, the
Assembly has urged the Council through the EAC Secretariat
to convene a regional position on habitat matters.
The Resolution takes cognisance of the fact that the scale and pace of urbanization is opening up unforeseen possibilities.
“Large
concentrations of people and goods providing for increased
opportunities for creativity, larger labor markets, and higher levels of
productivity, not to speak
of the cultural and political opportunities associated with urban life
is the norm” a section of the Resolution states.
The Resolution supported by the House also states that urban planning
mitigates the impacts of disasters. Policies and programs to
reduce poverty can not only increase the productivity of the poor in the
region, but can also raise consumption, thereby boosting local economic
development for the benefit of all. Cities that
are inhospitable to business and that deter investors usually represent
even worse prospects for their poorest residents.
In
her justification, Hon Abisai says that population growth has doubled
in a number of countries in the globe. The republic of Uganda and the
United
republic of Tanzania are expected to double their population by the
year 2050. The Republic of Uganda which has a populace of 39 million is
expected to have over 100 million in the next thirty four years.
United
Republic of Tanzania which has an estimated population of 53.7 million
people will see the growth reach 137 milliion people during the same
period,
according to Hon Abisai.
During
debate, Hon Christopher Opoka, Hon Kirunda Kivejinja, Hon Sarah Bonaya,
Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro all supported the Motion.
Analysts contend that the recent
rainstorms, mudslides and floods in the capital cities of some of
the EAC Partner States and other weather phenomena have exacted a
devastating toll on property, human welfare, natural resources and the
economies.
More
than 95% of all deaths caused by disasters have occurred in areas which
are mostly unplanned. Among the factors that have contributed most to
the damage inflicted during a hazard event is the location of
infrastructure and housing developments as well as how they have been
constructed, and how land use affects the natural environment recurring
natural phenomena into human and economic disasters.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni