Luanda — The united Nations (UN) congratulated last Monday, in Luanda, the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, on his dedication and commitment to the well-being of citizens and the improvement of housing conditions.

The recognition was presented by the under secretary-general of the United Nations, who is also executive director of UN Habitat, Anna Tibaijuka, in a press conference that took place in Luanda's Talatona Conventions Centre, in the ambit of the commemoration of the World Habitat Day.

Anna Tibaijuka highlighted that the engagement of the Angolan President and his government in facilitating the acquisition of dignifying houses by citizens so as to solve a problem that has been forgotten in Africa.

The participation of the Angolan president in the celebrations of the World Habitat Day constitutes a gesture of a visionary statesman, who is concerned about the well-being of people, the UN top official added.

She also noted that the Angolan State is building houses throughout the country, for low, medium and high income people, so as to make the access to housing possible to all people.

Anna Tibaijuka underlined that the urbanisation of African cities has been happening rapidly and sometimes in a disorderly way, which has been turning them into slum areas in a little time.

Therefore, she encouraged the governments to release at least 10 per cent of their budgets for programmes destined to the improvement of the communities' living conditions.

The central event of the World Habitat Day, which was commemorated last Monday, was presided over by the Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos.