ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN UNPLANNED SETTLEMENTS OF SULEJA, NIGER STATE NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Poor urban planning in the face of rapid urbanization and unplanned settlements is regarded as one of the major problems many urban areas in Niger State. In unplanned settlements, the decline in living conditions is accompanied by rapid deterioration of existing housing and homelessness. Residents of unplanned area are unable to obtain adequate clean water and other basic services, as well as education. The aim of this study is to analyze the development challenges in unplanned Settlements of Suleja, and the opportunities for participatory development upgrade. Quantitative techniques were used, Structural questioners were administered to the residents of the study area, which limited to four communities. Namely Madallah, Polosa, Chechenia and Bakin kasuwa. A total of 354 questioners were administered and descriptive statistical analysis was adopted. The findings show that development challenges in unplanned settlement in Suleja  13.7%  indicated  that  lack  of  adequate  land  as  the  treats  to  development challenges in Suleja. 14.7% also indicate that lack of coordination amongst various stakeholders are treat to development challenges in Suleja town. The infrastructural need of the unplanned settlement, 9.93% indicate the need of drainage network, access to portable water was chosen by 10.9% and those with the view that electricity is 10.62%. The study thereby recommends that all stakeholders are to be involved in the effective and sustainable upgrading of unplanned settlement through an urban renewal plan. It further recommends a new town development around Suleja that will comprise high rise public housing of mixed mode to accommodate the demand for sustainable house and commercial activities in Suleja.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

The search for solutions to urban and social problems prompted by unplanned settlements is gaining importance in the development agenda of most large cities in Latin America. Nearly 60% of the population lives in unplanned, often centrally located settlements (Lupala, 2002). The significance of the issue is emphasized by the inclusion of an objective in the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce the number of people living in unplanned settlement by 100 million by 2025 (UN Habitant, 2013). Within Latin America, municipalities are tackling the land tenure, sanitation, and urban services deficiencies of unplanned settlements either with their own resources or with transfers from other government tiers. A wide array of practical experience has come from the region, mainly from programs executed in the settlements located in the periphery of cities (Brakarz et. al. 2002).

According to Mowud, (2006), The state of the physical environment particularly the urban centers, today is a major source of global concern. This is greater in respect of developing nations like Nigeria. This is because of the fact that the urban environment is greatly of man‟s making. The safeguarding of the urban areas from negative human physical, social, economic and political activities should be man‟s paramount responsibility. The syndrome of “Housing, Health and Education for all by 2020 will bring along easy life to all the populace. Though, this thought could be achieved, but achieving them poses other problems.

In essence, the issue of agglomeration of population into urban areas leads to the quest for more basic utilities and facilities to commensurate with the demographic structure.

Nigeria is the most urbanized countries south of the Sahara on African continent with many of her large towns growing at between 4 and 5% per – annum despite the present economic recession (Olujimi, 2009). This thesis is an attempt to assess the Development challenges and its consequences in Suleja town as a case study.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The fact is that so many researches have been undertaken in the past by various scholars on the challenges of development in unplanned settlement but with particular reference to continent or countries on the world scale (Nabegu, 2014). It becomes pertinent for the researcher to do so bearing in mind that, the nature and impact of contemporary Development challenges differs from place to place.

The study is an attempt to understand the challenges in unplanned settlements in the context of Suleja via planning, which is experienced in many similar cities. The study is significant due to the lesson learned from developing cities in which urban planning is still a delusional fact. By understanding these constrains and failure factors the stakeholders can recognise and avoid them in order to accomplish a sustainable urban planning.

Unplanned settlement has grown as a seemingly inevitable part of urban area. In the urban centres in Nigeria, slums have reached an alarming state, as almost 75 percent of the urban dwellers live in an unplanned settlement and in conditions that are degrading of human dignity (Olotuah & Ajenifujah, 2005).  Unplanned settlement form and grow in many different parts of the world for many different reasons. Some causes include rapid  rural-to-urban  migration,  economic  stagnation  and  depression,  high unemployment, poverty, unplanned economy, poor planning, politics, natural disasters and social conflicts (Lanrewaju, 2012). The urban poor are in some places even worse-off than their rural counterparts within the many cities in Nigeria. The cities incorporate a mix of well-planned areas with modern facilities as well as poorly built and obsolete buildings which makes living standard deplorable.

According to Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (2015), the establishment of Abuja as the Federal capital of Nigeria and the use of Suleja as a satellite town lead to the evolution and development of unplanned settlement in Suleja and environs, which has been accompanied by enormous deficiencies in housing, water supply, sewage, electricity, formal   education,   health   facilities   and   so   on,   including   transportation   and communication facilities. As the core of towns and cities are too crowded, this uncontrolled and unplanned urban sprawl is capable of impacting negatively on the environment as this can affect the aquifer, the ecosystem, pond life, wood land, soil erosion  and  recreational  facilities,  with  people  and  vehicle  in  conflict  while  the peripheral areas (suburbs) are sprawling fast. It is further associated with poor environmental sanitation, houses with poor ventilation, crime and gross under development, lack  of water,  electricity, stagnant dirty water that provides breeding ground for mosquitoes with the attendant diseases as malaria and cholera, among others which forms the subject matter of this study or research work. Hence, the need to assess the Development challenges in unplanned settlement of Suleja in Niger State.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.3.1    Aim

The aim of the study is to analyze the development challenges in unplanned Settlements of Suleja, and the opportunities for participatory Development upgrade.

1.3.2    Objectives

The objectives are to;

1.   Identify the threat to development in the unplanned settlement.

2.   Assess infrastructural needs of the unplanned settlements of Suleja.

3.   Examine  the role of government in the area.

4.   Determine  the  participatory  role  of  dwellers  in  the  unplanned  settlement upgrade.

1.4       Research Questions

The research questions for this study are as follows;

1.   What is the threat or obstacles to development in the unplanned settlement?

2.   What is the infrastructural needs of the unplanned settlement of Suleja?

3.   What is the role of government in the upgrade?

4.   What  is  the  participatory  role  of  dwellers  in  the  upgrade  of  unplanned settlement?

1.5       Justification of the Study

World Health Organization (WHO, 2012) notes that unplanned habitants are frequently ill as a result of the poor quality of their environment and exposure to disease. They are in a state of persistent poverty and frustration. Disasters may cause death and loss, while the poor housing and sanitation also threaten their health. Poor urban planning in the face of rapid urbanization and unplanned settlements is regarded as one of the major problems facing many urban areas in Nigeria (Nabegu, 2014) including urban neighbourhoods in Suleja town in Niger State.

In Nigeria, enforcement of development control is ineffective due to rapid urbanization and has led to cities decay and development of shanty and slums settlements at the periphery of cities. All these made local planning authorities not to be able to carry out their  functions  effectively  and  have  resulted  to  construction  of  buildings  without layouts approval. The situation seems generating a vicious circle on poverty- environment-health-poverty   as   improper   waste   water   management   have   been undergoing for years and worsened by irreconcilable natural environment that makes poor people powerless to bring the environment works for them.

Also, for policy implication, the research findings may render information to government,   environmental   organisation,   and   urban   planning   institution.   The information may be used to frame urban settlement planning to facilitate the work to discourse the problem of unplanned settlements in general. The outcome may also help in tackling urban planning problems that is associated with urban planning in mid-sized cities sharing boundary with state capitals in particular. The study can also be beneficial for the academe being a product of comprehensive research involving specific approaches and tools for analyses in coming up with the research. This calls for a study of a specified area to provide checks and balances in order to strike sustainability between man‟s environment and other components of the earth and to improve the well- being of the dwellers.

1.6       Scope of the Study

The study will be limited to the degree at which  Development challenges such as Housing, Road network, Drainage, security of Tenure, Health facilities, Educational facilities affect the unplanned settlement of Suleja which will cover Bakin Kasuwa, Chechenia, Polosa and Madalla.

1.7       The Study Area

Suleja is located on Lat. 9°31‟ to 9°56‟ North of the Equator and Longitude 7°58‟ to 8°43‟ East. It is situated very close to the boundary between Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory. It is sometimes confused with the Federal Capital City Abuja (see figure 1.1), due to its proximity (43km), and the fact that it was originally called Abuja before the Nigerian government adopted the name from the then Emir Suleiman Barau for its new federal capital in 1976.

Apart from its closeness to the Nigerian federal capital, it is also recognized as a centre of excellence for traditional West African pottery, namely the world famous LadiKwali Pottery Centre, established by Michael Cardew in 1950. The leading exponent of this school of pottery was Dr. LadiKwali, who received worldwide acclaim for her works which are on display worldwide. Initially the settlement pattern of suleja is the linear type (see figure 1.2). The socio-economic life in this area is in transition from rurality (extractive based) to semi-urban life through rural-urban migration. Agricultural land is actually giving way to semi-urban commercial life (urban sprawl) of which in the case of Suleja and its environ is not unconnected to the influence of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) The demand for residential houses for FCT workers and allied professionals within and outside the town actually calls for the development of social services and other infrastructure which are in deficit and lead to unplanned settlement. Cottage industries and retailing activities are on the increase in Suleja which act as a pull to population concentration in the area. Along the major Minna – Suleja road are the concentrations of roadside hawkers and allied commercial activities

Chechenia

Bakin Kasuwa

Polosa

Fig. 1.2: Administrative Map of Suleja LGA Source: Suleja LGA, (2018)

1.7.1    Climate

Climatically, Suleja have similar weather condition as Abuja the Federal Capital Territory. There is little departure from the major North-East (November to March) and South-West (April to October) trade wind. The North-East wind is dusty, dry and cold while the south-west wind brings in rain as wet season. Temperature sometimes can be as high as 45 degree Celsius in March and as low as less than 10-degree Celsius December/January. The rain fall pattern is convectional in nature with occasional flooding activity.

1.7.2    Vegetation

Suleja falls within the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic zone of the West African sub- region. Patches of rain forest, especially in the rugged terrain to the south southeastern parts of the territory, where a landscape of gullies and rough terrain is found. These areas of Niger state form one of the few surviving occurrences of the mature forest vegetation.

1.7.3    Relief

The study area has a long range of hills and ridges on the western side of the town, which has restriction in that direction slope in certain area of the developed town are up to 30% and that is responsible for the rapid erosion and gully formation which are common in the area.

1.7.4    Drainage System

The town is well drained in to a system of streams and as a result of the steep slopes there is incidence of flash flood in certain part of the town particularly in areas with high development density.

1.7.5    Soil

Like most alluvial soils, the soil in Suleja is the flood plain type and is characterized by considerable  variations.  The  soil  is  of  two  main  types  which  could  be  used  for agriculture and are rich in minerals for the manufacture of various products. The two types of soil are: the Ku-soil which has little hazards and the Ya-soil which has a better water holding capacity.

1.7.6    Economy

Today Suleja is well known as an exporter of Gbagi pottery. Cotton weaving and dyeing, with locally grown indigo, and mat making are traditional activities, but farming remains the chief occupation. Local trade is primarily in agriculture products.

1.7.7    Genesis of the Development Challenges of Suleja

Nowhere has the truism “he who fail to plan, has Plan to fail” become glaringly evident as the sorrowful state of the good people of Suleja town (formerly Abuja town). Up to 1976 when the then Federal Military Government decided to move the nation‟s capital from Lagos to Abuja, Suleja was, substantially, a traditional Hausa settlement with the typical Hausa-Fulani traditional setup.

The Federal Military Government decided not to include Suleja in the Federal Capital Territory, for a variety of reasons including its predominant ethnic composition. Despite their exclusion, the good people of Suleja, former Abuja Local Government, contributed about 80% (6,400 km2) of the total area of FCT, (albeit on the instruction of the Military Government). The remaining 20% was contributed by the former Keffi and KotonKarfe Local Governments of former Plateau and Kwara States respectively. Another piece of land within Suleja was contributed for constructing a newly established Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Field Base. This remained in Suleja for about five years  during  the  planning  stages  of  Abuja‟s   development  before  the  physical construction activities could take-off in 1982 (Shuaibu, 2006).

The genesis of the seeming intractable development challenges of Suleja have to do with the decision not to locate Suleja within the boundaries of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); not to designate it as one of its Satellite Towns (or declare it a Special Development Area), as was done to Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje; failings on the part of both Federal and Niger State Governments  to develop and implement measures to protect Suleja from the, inevitable, influx of workers and businesses that were to participate in the construction of   Abuja; and the seeming extraordinarily high and evidently  unsustainable  standard  set  for  construction  of  the  FCT  that  priced  most workers out of its property market, among others.

However, within a space of about thirty years when the construction of FCT started, Suleja town had lost virtually all its developable land; a large percentage of its indigenous population, who could not resist the temptation of money, sold their houses and plots of land to the business men and women, from other parts of the country, who moved to the town due to its proximity to Abuja or as a base to transact business with FCT. From all indications the new owners of the town do not appear to have any more allegiance to it beyond the convenience it offers them and the potential for making a huge profit. They all have states, towns and villages to go back to, while the real Suleja indigenes appear to be stuck in the ever shrinking corners of the town, their rapidly increasing population notwithstanding.

However, it must be acknowledged that these people are known for their high level of self-reliance driven by a well-established tradition of entrepreneurship; and a very effective  clan-based  “Safety  Net”  they  provide  to  their  members  and  relations.  In Planning terms, Suleja appears to be a town choking itself to death-with a huge and rapidly growing population- unemployed, informal sector operators, small and medium sized business operators- looking up to Abuja for the greener pasture and business and investing virtually nothing in Suleja. The entire town has become one giant slum, growing in size and density in the most unplanned and uncontrolled manner imaginable; virtually all its streets are littered with signboards, in a “riot” of forms, shapes and colours,  of  mostly  informal  sector  operators;  provision  of  urban  basic  services, especially water  and  sanitation  has  virtually collapsed;  with  a  cacophony of  noise coming out of electric generators that have become the main stay of power supply in the town, with huge implication on the health of the residents; unplanned peri-urban expansion;  high  levels  of  vulnerability to  natural  disasters;  poor  mobility systems; environmental degradation; and sight and sound of social conflict over land resources.

Experience has shown that were the FCT to have been moved to any other part of Nigeria, the same fate would have awaited the indigenous population without requisite safeguards and deliberate effort to protect their interest. It is inevitable that the construction of such an ambitious project (FCT) will attract large number of people- business men and women; unemployed; skilled and unskilled workers; honest and dishonest people etc.

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