City Mayors decry increased rural - urban migration

Mayors of African cities have called for stringent measures to curb unplanned settlements due to the high influx of rural - urban movements.Lilongwe city mayor, Prof Donton Mkandawire said that despite the large numbers of people flocking to cities, little had been done to ensure development. “Many people who shift from villages settle before physical plans are done to ensure proper settlement in cities. The same people are quick to criticize city authorities for underdevelopment,” Mkandawire said this on Friday, November 16 during a two - day Mayors’ summit at Jali Club. The summit that ended yesterday was part of celebrations to mark Kigali city’s hundred years of existence under the theme: ‘The role of cities in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)’. Lusaka city mayor Stephen Mubanga sounded a warning to Kigali City saying that despite its current cleanliness and green environment, it risks loosing its beauty if the number of its dwellers increased. Mubanga said that his city had now resorted to negotiating with neighboring districts to extend its boundaries so as to accommodate its increasing population. Al haji Nasser Ntege Sebaggala the Mayor of Kampala city said that; “There should be less political interference in the activities and planning of cities, otherwise major development campaigns may end up being frustrated” . Kigali City Mayor Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira said that there should be a deliberate change in attitude of people who settle in cities so as to foster development.Other African cities represented included Bujumbura and Yaoundé. Ends