CHIMWENDO & OTHERS IN KENYA ATTENDING UN HABITAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Says good housing is critical in development

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda says a house is not only for walls but a place for dreams to come and fulfilment of best aspirations of human being.

Chimwendo was speaking to reporters in Nairobi, Kenya on the sidelines of the Second Session of UN Habitat for Humanity Assembly where Lands Minister Deus Gumba is also attending.

The two ministers are joined by Malawi’s High Commissioner to Kenya Calista Mutharika.

This year’s Assembly theme is “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises”.

The Assembly which has been opened today will end on June 9, 2023.

In his remarks Chimwendo said government underscores the importance of good housing as a fundamental human rights and an economic issue.

Chimwendo said President Chakwera has challenged the two ministries of Lands and his Local Government to provide a conducive and adequate housing policies which are also fundamental to social harmony and stability.

“We cannot accept it as normal that in a country where many people are hard working in their fields be in agribusiness, farming, engineering, banking among others must fail to own a descent house. We are one of the best counties in Africa that take Agriculture seriously and where 70% of our people get their living therefore as government have to find solutions on how to end this cycle of poverty by creating enabling monetary policies so that business people get good loans from commercial banks, making our youths proactive in entrepreneurship, women empowerment, among others,’ said Chimwendo Banda who is also Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

He also hailed the Habitat for Humanity for helping local residents with basic needs such as housing and water among others.

Taking his turn, Lands Minister Gumba also lauded the Habitat for Humanity for complimenting government in spheres of socioeconomic development.

In his video speech to the Assembly, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said multilateralism must support cities to take action on climate, advance access to affordable housing and deliver the local initiatives needed to make the SDG’s reality.

“My report , Our Common Agenda, calls for a reinvigorated and more inclusive multilateralism – recognizing the pivotal role cities and other local authorities play  in addressing the challenges we face,” said Guterres.

The Assembly convenes every four years.