The Impact of Infrastructure Development on Local Communities: The Case of Port-Bouët Metro Line in Abidjan
The construction of the Port-Bouët metro line in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is expected to alleviate the city’s chronic traffic congestion and improve mobility for residents. However, this ambitious infrastructure development project has come at a cost for many local communities, particularly those whose homes are located along the path of the new metro line.
Some elderly residents of Port-Bouët, who have spent most of their lives in their flats, are being forced to leave their homes due to the construction of the metro line. While some have received compensation for their properties, others are still waiting for a fair settlement that will enable them to move on with their lives.
Lehouc Édouard, a retired teacher in his 80s, is one such resident. He has lived in his flat in the area for over five decades and has accumulated more than 50 years’ worth of memories there. However, he now faces the prospect of watching his home being demolished by bulldozers.
“It’s a whole memory of my life that’s gone. My grandchildren spent their childhood here,” he lamented. While Édouard has the documents justifying his ownership of the property, they will not be able to save his house, which will soon be reduced to rubble.
Ahui Amouli Kouassi, president of those affected by the Port-Bouët metro, says that he and others are not opposed to the construction of the metro line but are demanding fair compensation for their properties. “The PAR (Action and Resettlement Programme) has broken as you can see. Before demolishing we asked to be resettled. We asked them to negotiate with us and resettle us. This is what’s not been done, and this is what we are asking for,” he says.
Many other residents share Kouassi’s concerns about the lack of fair compensation for the loss of their homes. Nebié Bo Djo, another resident, says, “If you take our property, give us another property, that’s what we ask for.”
The Ivorian rail company, the Société Ivoirienne de la Gestion du Patrimoine Ferroviaire, responsible for the construction of the metro line, says it is aware of the distress of affected residents and is working to reassure them that they will be taken care of. The company’s Director General, Cissé Moustapha, acknowledges that the project has slightly modified the passage of the metro, which means that new people have come into play, and they are giving them time to leave.
However, the compensation process has been slow and sometimes contentious, leaving many residents in limbo. Retiree Brou Djédjé Henriette says, “The children are at school. All the authorities have to do is rehouse us; they are the solution. I have no feet to kneel on. I kneel with my cane. May they have mercy on us.”
Despite these challenges, some residents impacted by the new metro line report being satisfied with the compensation process. Blacksmith Traoré Abdoulaye says, “I thought it would last for years. To my great surprise, it didn’t last more than two months. I was called today to come and get my money. I arrived and signed all the documents. I’m satisfied.”
Out of 13,000 families affected by the project, over 7,000 have already been compensated. However, for those still waiting for settlement, the process has been fraught with uncertainty and anxiety.
The case of Port-Bouët reflects a broader challenge faced by many local communities impacted by infrastructure development projects worldwide. While such projects have the potential to bring positive changes to communities, they can also displace longstanding residents and disrupt local economies, social structures, and cultural practices.
Thus, it is crucial that infrastructure development projects prioritize the rights and needs of impacted communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly and low-income households. Governments and private entities must ensure that a fair and transparent compensation process is in place and that resettlement plans account for the varied needs of affected populations. Additionally, robust community engagement processes and meaningful participation should be facilitated to enable affected residents to have a say in the decisions that impact their lives.
Infrastructure development can play a vital role in advancing sustainable development goals, but it must do so while protecting and promoting human rights, particularly those of the most marginalized members of society.
