Kota Kinabalu: The Government has taken the first step towards alleviating "urban poverty" in Sabah by conducting a census in several major towns.Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said the census or poor people profile studies is currently being carried out here, Sandakan, Tawau, Kudat, Ranau, Keningau, Semporna and Labuan.
In a speech read by Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor, he said the Government has set 2006 as the year to commence urban poverty eradication.
"I am happy that all preparation (for this purpose) has been taken since 2004 and 2005," he said at the opening of state level Integrated Capacity Building Towards Urban Poverty Eradication at Beverly Hotel, here, Thursday.
This, he said, also includes the Strategic Planning and Action Plan (RSPT) Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme (PPKB). He said even though urban poverty has not reached a critical stage, the Government has begun to address the issue through the formation of the Strategic Help Centres (Pusat Sejahtera).
The centres would be set up within the poor communities and at the premises of local authorities.
In this respect, Musa called on the relevant agency and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance cooperation with the government so that the urban poverty eradication programme would reach the target group.
"I am certain that with concerted effort and commitment from all parties, the urban poverty eradication programme in Sabah will start to bear fruits," he said.
Previously, he said poverty has always been linked to rural areas since economic activities there are mostly focused on agriculture sector.
However, he said the scenario has changed and all this was caused to rapid urbanisation development programmes.
"Most of the people in the country are now living in urban areas due to the availability of employment opportunities in various sectors," he said.
Nevertheless, Musa said competition including urban migration, economic gap between races and effects of the economic crisis has inevitably created disparity of people categorised as urban poor.
In addition, he said urban poverty will lead to a higher crime rate as the people struggle to maintain their livelihood.
"And thus, local authorities as urban managers, has a huge responsibility to ensure that the people (in their respective constituencies) have comfortable, clean and safe environment by providing them with quality urbanisation service," he said.
He said that long term impact and sustainability are two factors that should be taken into consideration with identifying PPKB projects and activities.
On other developments, he said there are six strategic thrust areas that would be the main focus of the PPKB namely, income generation/opportunities, housing, education, health, social facilities and transportation.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, Deputy State Secretary I, Datuk Noni J Said and Deputy State Secretary II, Datuk John Maluda.
