FT

Old problems continue

Friday, 2 March 2012 00:01 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

WHILE all eyes are turned to Geneva, closer to home the same problems are cropping up again as the Government attempts to force development with no regard to fair treatment.

Residents in Maligawatte were reportedly surprised when the Police arrived on Thursday morning to demolish buildings, which they claim were illegally constructed. The people confronted the Police and pointed out that they had been given no notice of the ordered demolition and refused to move from their homes.  



Having barracked themselves into the homes and shops, they thwarted the Police, and as the situation heated up, the STF and Army were also moved into the area. Police brought in water cannons and established themselves to preserve the ‘peace’ as residents remained stubbornly in their homes.

The scene that played out in Maligawatte is nothing new. The arbitrary acts of the Police and the inability of the people to protect their homes is an often-played-out drama. Yet, the ending was different because the people refused to be bullied by an insensitive Government. This is not to say that illegal buildings are good and therefore should be protected, but to point out that the Government cannot deprive people of their homes without first providing a solution to their issues.

Since the ministers pay much rhetoric to the idea of supporting the poor and claim that all their development programs are dedicated to eradicating poverty, the deprivation of shelter for them should surely be of concern. When the Urban Development Authority was placed under the Defence Ministry, many warned that this could have negative repercussions as the armed forces could be used to move people, usually the poor, out of their homes without due process. After many incidents, from pavement hawkers to slum dwellers being forced out, the warning has become reality.

UDA Chairman Janaka Kurukulasuriya in August 2011 stated that the plan was to relocate 65,000 slums within Colombo and the suburbs to other areas to create more space for development and beautify the City of Colombo. The project commenced under the UDA with contracts having been given to both local and foreign contractors. The target is to start work on 7,000 more units within 2011.

The UDA had been told that in one acre, 300 to 315 units can be constructed. To construct 15,000 units that would be needed for the families, the UDA had cleared the needed land with the Environment, Transport and Health Ministries, which also gave out unutilised land under their ministries for this project.

At the time the UDA hoped to construct 45,000 units to resettle the slum dwellers within three-and-a-half to four years. Funding was to be raised through debenture capital (Rs. 10 billion) and the sale of land as well as private investors. To accompany the large number of slum dwellers, the UDA has given instructions for the construction of 12-storeyed flats in Colombo.

“We will not chase the slum dwellers until we come up with the buildings for them. We will first get the houses ready and then get them to move in” – that was what was said then and while the Maligawatte people may not fall into this category, they at least deserve the same consideration.

Development is not just new roads and airports. It also requires a transparent and accountable system to deal with the poor communities to ensure that their rights are safeguarded. What development can there be if the people of Maligawatte end up calling the road their home?

 

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