7 October 2008
Luanda — The Angolan government has planned to invest USD 50 million, in the next four years, in the construction of about one million family residences countrywide, in the framework of a cities restructuring programme.
This was announced on Monday by the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, when he delivered a speech at the main commemorative act of the World Habitat Day, which was held in Luanda, on indication of the United Nations, under the motto "Harmonious Cities".
Considering the figure, President Eduardo dos Santos said that "it will not be an easy challenge", but the government is working to supply dignified housing to citizens, he said answering to the challenge of the UN under-secretary, Anna Tibaijuka, who attended the
event.
The Angolan statesman explained that an executive programme, for the 2008/2012 period, is being implemented, whose main objective is gradually provide better housing for all, in a healthier and healthier environment.
Thus, he revealed that all the urban and suburban areas of the country will have development steering plans, aiming at the restructuring of the cities, to satisfy the minimum conditions in terms of infrastructures and demands in housing.
Eduardo dos Santos said he is in tune with the concerns and vision of the UN, which presents to the countries and social organisations the housing issue as a basic need of human beings, fundamental for the construction of fair, democratic societies and cities.
He also reminded that in Angola, just like almost everywhere, the phenomenon of urbanisation is followed by serious environmental problems.
To President Eduardo dos Santos, the adoption of a rigorous and broad environmental policy, to avoid or minimise the problems, would depend not just on passing new legislation and legal penalties, but, above all, education and sensitisation programmes, to give knowledge to citizens, entrepreneurs and the civil society on the consequences of thoughtless attitudes on the environment.
He also said that the fight against urban chaos in this country, whose cause is the many years of armed conflict, is being done through integrated (geographic, economic and environmental) models, the prohibition of certain types of construction, as well as the adoption of a policy that aims at avoiding regional asymmetries and people's desertion from the interior.
José Eduardo dos Santos explained that in the materialisation of the set goals, in integrated models, will intervene public and private capital, aiming for the development of quality public spaces, re-qualification and revitalisation of urban centres, taking into account the need for social inclusion, as well as the valorisation of the territory, in general.
The Angolan Head of State said he hoped that in the next trip to Luanda, Anna Tibaijuka, who is also the executive director of the UN Human Settlement Programme, will not find any more constraints with road traffic and may "enjoy the unique beauty of this city that intends to be part, through merit, of the board of honour of harmonious cities".
The gathering was attended by the Angolan National Assembly Speaker, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, Cristiano André, and the Prime Minister, António Paulo Kassoma.
The event was also attended by Mps, government officials, members of the diplomatic body accredited in Angola and other foreign officials, as well as representatives of real estate and construction firms, banks, socio-professional institutions and community associations.
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