Development for everyone

Tuesday, 9 April 2013 00:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NEW roads, bridges, walkways and plus places to meet are springing up around Colombo and the Government has already rolled out plans to spread this conspicuous prosperity to 22 other cities around the country.

The 22 cities will include towns such as Bandarawela, Akuressa, Tangalle, Anuradhapura and Narammala, which are far flung from each other but connected with a web of development. Understandably it is hoped that these projects will do much to foster economic growth in rural areas by boosting tourism and ultimately offering a higher standard of living to the masses.

Despite the obvious enthusiasm, the lack of transparency, engagement, and accountability for the rapid changes continue to raise issues among residents.

As laudable as these plans are, there are still challenges on transparency. One aspect that has received attention is the arbitrary cutting down of ancient trees within the capital, ostensibly to widen roads and prevent drainage clogging, but have irked residents who have strong emotional connections to these shady groves. With projects spreading around the country there is greater danger of environmental damage from haphazard building that are usually not considered.

Large chunks in both the city and out of it have also been earmarked to be handed over to foreign companies for ‘development projects,’ raising fears that beloved landmarks will disappear forever. Moreover, there is also concern that these prime properties will be given for a ‘song,’ bringing no benefit to public coffers.

In addition, there is also fear that thousands of poor families will be moved from their homes. This is necessary to clear commercially valuable land, but they should also be safeguarded from being given substandard homes, deprived of their rights, or otherwise politically victimised.

The Government has already partially completed 13,285 houses but needs to build an estimated 75,000 in total to house most of the low income families in the capital. A fresh project to build 15,000 homes will also be kicked off this year.

But as the US$ 405 million Slave Island situation has shown, there are significant concerns over adequate compensation and rent allocations for families. A similar situation is being faced by the washer families down Nawam Mawatha, who have been told they will be moved from land they have been living in for decades but have to pay Rs. 50,000 for the privilege, which they can ill afford. Such economic challenges put a new spin on what is termed as “development” in Government policies.

The stance of the Government is that these people should be “grateful” to be given any compensation at all, but such callous attitudes will only push already economically vulnerable people further towards poverty and disenfranchisement. Attempting to wash their hands off these issues as “politically created” will not suffice and a kinder ear and gentler hand is needed to deal with such sensitive situations.

Funding, costs, tender procedures, prioritisation of projects, payment of damages and mechanism for land acquirement are all a few issues that also need transparency and accountability. If all this is for the benefit of the citizens, then is it not fair that they should have a say?