It’s time to fix these slums

It should be considered a huge failure and a national disgrace that, over 56 years after independence, foreign Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are the ones who send personnel over, and spend time and resources to ensure that Nigerians end the practice of carefree, open-air defecation. This is quite absurd.

What can be correctly surmised is that our state governors and local government chairpersons have insulated themselves behind air-conditioned windows so as not to be troubled by the stench and sight of this sub-human practice.

Yet, these governors and their ilk would argue vigorously to have Nigeria made a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the singular point that “we have population.”

But our population is so unsophisticated that it does not bother about living side-by-side human waste.

Nigeria is still very much stuck in the “Third World” categorisation and the fact of its existence tells us all that this is the correct designation.

Thus, it is not proper to aspire to join the mainstream of technology without first solving this country’s vexing problems.

Nigeria’s vexing problem is congested urban sprawls that are full-bodied slums and these slums are growing each passing day.

What’s the point of aspiring to be a UN Security Council member if Nigeria cannot properly dispose of solid and liquid sewage that fester in urban city centres?

Nigeria’s urban slum sprawls can be solved by a rather low-technology approach; simply pull down these urban slums. There is landmass enough for this purpose.

Homesteads must not be congested affairs anymore; a homestead and its nearest neighbours must be separated by vegetated or arboreal lots that ensure ventilation and illumination.

Since high-tech central sewage processing plants are not available, individual homestead underground septic-tank systems must be built and periodically cleaned.

This gentrification is what is needed right now across Nigeria’s urban centres. Redesigning and rebuilding Nigeria’s urban centres would occupy Nigerians for a long time and the positive domino-effect fallout would help economic recovery immensely.

Nigeria’s government must not pander to the illiterate mass anymore; if you are illiterate, then you cannot be invited to participate in this urban renewal project because those who lack basic education are always at fault over basic sanitation matters and personal hygiene.

Really, slum dwellers experience perpetual cycle of healthcare challenges. It is vital to clear these slums.

Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory should latch onto this concept immediately. When the streets are clean and devoid of sewage and vermin, foreign capital would flow in and the economy would grow.

Sunday Jonah,

Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.