In an effort to address the aftermath of mass evictions and demolitions in Abidjan, the Ivorian government announced a rehousing program to support displaced residents. The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday by spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly, aims to not only provide new homes but also prevent these individuals from resettling in high-risk areas.
“The program has been launched to support people affected by displacement and to prevent them from being resettled in new high-risk areas,” Coulibaly stated following a cabinet meeting. The government will financially support the construction of new housing, allocating 250,000 CFA francs (approximately $417 USD) per house. This translates to a total investment of 697 million CFA francs.
The initial phase of the program will prioritize residents from the most impacted neighborhoods, Boribana and Gesco. However, Coulibaly emphasized that “no neighborhood will be left behind” in the long run.
The demolitions, which officials justified on public health grounds due to “unsanitary” housing conditions, sparked controversy. However, the government maintains it’s a necessary step in addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization.
“Abidjan has seen its population explode, growing from three million to six million between 1998 and 2021,” Coulibaly pointed out, citing data from the National Institute of Statistics. This rapid expansion has resulted in the emergence of around thirty shantytowns situated in high-risk zones prone to flooding and landslides. According to Coulibaly, these precarious settlements have tragically claimed the lives of more than 340 people since 2005.
“Any new precarious neighborhoods will be demolished,” Coulibaly declared, highlighting the government’s commitment to preventing further tragedies. The rehousing program, coupled with the announcement of additional construction aid and long-term leases on plots of land, signifies a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue. While the exact timeline for implementation remains unclear, the government’s initiative offers a glimmer of hope for displaced residents in Abidjan.
