PARTICIPATORY SLUMS UPGRADING IN KABONG COMMUNITY IN JOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Slums upgrading is a desirable activity in urban areas. It does not only upgrade the status of the area but improves the quality of life of its residents. Kabong community is a neighbourhood in Jos, Nigeria which has a substantial area with slum characteristics. The infrastructural facilities are decayed or deteriorating, the environmental conditions are not palatable and the housing is in squalor conditions. Of recent, however, attempts have been made to upgrade some of these facilities. The government has upgrade a large portion of its inner roadways and electricity has been restored in many portions. This study examines the extent to which residents of the community have participated in this upgrading activities. The study administered 410 questionnaires to residents and had focus group discussions and interviewed the leadership of the community development association in the community. Results indicated that most residents in the community, though aware of the existence of the community development association, are not actively involved in its activities. Only a few pay the annual dues to the association. With the relatively meagre amount of finances available to it, the community development association has renovated the public primary and secondary schools and the primary health care facility situated in the community. They have also provided electric poles and constructed culverts as well as embark on community waste disposal efforts. Individuals in the community have also constructed culverts to lead to their houses or link their sections of the community to other parts. These activities show that the community is becoming more involved in the slum upgrading project of their community. A lot still needs to be done with community mobilization to ensure more commitment of more residents in this activity.