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Hydraform building system allows the erection of structures using limited mortar because the bricks on this technology have interlocking grooves.
“We have engaged officials from the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment in Bulawayo. We have taken them to one of our demo-house in Emganwini built using the hydraform concept. They have shown interest in the building technology.
“As Government was releasing funds for youth empowerment projects through CABS, it was our hope that some of the young entrepreneurs in the construction industry would get the opportunity to access loans to buy hydraform brick making machines so that they are empowered,” said Astra Building Centre managing director, Mr Jabulani Nkomo.
“We have noted with concern that CABS is only accepting individual projects that can be approved for funding amounting to a maximum of $5 000, a development that discourages prospective entrepreneurs from getting into groups and pool resources to buy the machines.”
He said recently a construction group of 10 youths from Reigate in Bulawayo failed to access loans from CABS to buy the machines because the financial institution required individual project proposals.
“The failure by funders to provide loans to a partnership or co-operative project discourages people to venture into meaningful enterprises,” he said.
Astra is a local building stockist that launched hydraform concept in the country in 2009.
As the building system allows quick erection of structures, the concept is centred on creating opportunities for Zimbabwe to recover quickly from a massive housing backlog that accumulated during the period of economic turmoil the country went through over the past decade.
The country has housing backlog of up to 1,3 million.
Online Reporter