Decentralisation can help resolve housing problem: Muhith

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said decentralisation could help resolve the housing problem, especially in urban areas, reports BSS. "Twenty-eight per cent people are now living in urban areas and the population density is very high there. Adequate facilities should be reached to rural areas," he said while speaking at the concluding session of a three-day Bangladesh Urban Forum at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city Wednesday. State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan, UNDP Country Director Stefan Priesner, lawmaker AKM Mozammel Haque, Bangladesh Municipal Association president Azmat Ullah Khan addressed, among others, the function. Noted urban expert Prof Nazrul Islam Khan gave the welcome address while Housing and Public Works Secretary Khondaker Showkat Hossain also spoke. Mr Muhith said a good plan is needed for land use and private sector investment and it will eventually contribute to developing the country's housing system. He said urban poverty and slums should be given priority while implementing urban sector policy. Despite manifold resource constraints, he said, the government has made substantial progress in ensuring drinking water and sanitation. Mr Nanak stressed the need for forging a social movement to stop criminalisation in the name of urbanisation. Abdul Mannan said the government would take the forum's declaration into consideration. Over 2,500 representatives both from home and abroad participated in the three-day event.