‘Rural-Urban Migration Causes, Water & Electricity Problems’-Zanu PF Mumbengegwi

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi says most African countries are facing rural-urban migration which has caused a lot of pressure on urban facilities such as water, electricity and accommodation.

Mumbengegwi said load shedding in Zimbabwe has become occurrence with some young people creating a joke that a romantic dinner by candle light is compulsory in Zimbabwe.

He said despite proper plans by urban authorities, at times it is difficult at times to restrict the movement and time of migration for the people hence the challenges faced by African cities.

He told the gathering including UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, UN Habitat representatives, African minister of housing and local authorities that Zimbabwe is currently grappling with the issue of illegal settlements, with some people settling themselves in area without proper infrastructure.

Mumbengegwi said sustainable development is not possible when people do not have basic infrastructure, adding the provision of modern and adequate basic infrastructure is the only way to stop the ballooning of unplanned urban population movement.

The African Union Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma, said Africa’s Agenda 2063 has a big role to play in solving some of the challenges of African cities.

Mr Ban said resolving the urbanisation problems in Africa could help meet some of the sustainable development challenges Africa is facing.

President Robert Mugabe is among the world leaders attending the high level meeting.

The high level summit on the post 2015 development agenda kicks off at the UN headquarters in New York this Friday.

It will be preceded by an address by Pope Francis to the UN General Assembly, marking the first time that the Papal flag is being raised here at the General Assembly.

High on the development agenda list is poverty eradication in all forms and everywhere, ending hunger, attaining food security, improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

The new development goals also target to achieve inclusive and equitable quality of education and promote lifelong learning.Source – zbc
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photo-Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi