East African Business Week (Kampala)
Brian Coutinho
11 October 2008
opinion
Last week Kigali City was granted the Habitat Scroll of Honor Award 2008 for its many innovations in building a model, modern city symbolized by zero tolerance for plastics, improved garbage collection and a substantial reduction in crime.
Kigali City is the first city authority to win this prestigious award in Africa.
According to available information, The Habitat Scroll of Honor is the most prestigious award given by the United Nations in "recognition of work carried out in the field of human settlements development."
Officials say the aim of the award is to honor individuals and institutions that have been instrumental in improving the living conditions in urban centers around the world.
Habitat is quoted as saying, "From 1998, the authorities in Kigali began restoring the city's lost glory. They targeted garbage collection, and banned the use of plastic bags. The streets and pavements were beautified, and public transport was upgraded. Other areas included improvement of the sewage system and slum upgrading. In just one decade, Kigali has been transformed into a place to which people come from all corners of the world to see and learn how they can replicate the Kigali modernization and urban conservation model at home."
This is good for the country both as an example that a country can come from the ravages of war and transform itself into a vibrant nation with best practices for others to emulate.
But secondly, it pays to invest in concerted efforts to have your environment made suitable for your inhabitants. Clearly, there will be numerous dividends for Kigali residents.
The government, Kigali mayor Dr. Aisa Kirabo and city authorities need to be commended for a job well done.
Other East African cities need to borrow a leaf from the Kigali experience and example.
One thing that has made Kigali what it is the community clean-up exercise that is done by all and sundry. It is an inexpensive, fast and effective way of cleaning up the environment.
Secondly, the need by the governments to invest in public health just like they invest in education, infrastructure development and energy, is of paramount importance. Investors and tourists look for such indices.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 East African Business Week. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
