African cities in poor state - WHO expert

Speaking at the end of a clean-up campaign in the Gaborone West South constituency yesterday, he said most cities in the region are in a deplorable state. She said that urban growth has outpaced the development of infrastructure and social services. "It has also totally overwhelmed municipal authorities in most countries," she said. 

Akim said that urban environments in Africa are characterised by insufficient safe water supplies, inadequate levels of appropriate sanitation, inadequate disposal of solid waste, drainage of surface water, and poor personal and domestic hygiene. She added that inadequate housing, overcrowding, and inadequate education and energy services also characterise urban settlements.