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Andrew Muvishi Herald Reporter
The country’s biggest financial services group, CBZ Holdings Limited has developed 1 463 stands in Gweru to ease demand for accommodation caused by the expansion of Midlands State University (MSU).
CBZ corporate affairs manager Laura Gwatiringa said the stands were in both the high and low density settings.
“We developed 1095 high density stands in Nehosho suburbs and 368 in Mtatusi Park low density residential area,” said Mrs. Gwatiringa.
“The demand for housing in Gweru is mainly pushed by Midlands State University which has student population of approximately 20 000 and a staff compliment of approximately 1 400. A number of financial institutions have been involved in the development of low cost housing schemes in the major urban centres of the country including Gweru.
“CBZ will continue providing accommodation in Senga and other surrounding areas to help ease accommodation problems.” The development comes at a time when the Government is moving towards reducing the national housing backlog which stands at 1,2 million through the provision of affordable accommodation for the nation.
The Government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Zimbuild Property Investment has drafted the 2019 Infrastructure Investment Plan that seeks to encourage public private partnerships to reduce the housing backlogs in the country.
In the draft Government said it will make policy intervention to allow multi-sectorial development in the provision of shelter after admitting that it cannot meet the growing demand for decent shelter, especially in urban areas, alone.
“In this regard the Government will institute policy intervention that allow for the developments of synergies and participation of all stakeholders, private sectors, employers, and development partners in the provision shelter,” read the report.
Mr Nelson Nyashanu, a town planner with one of Gweru’s leading property firms, Zimbuild Property Investment said the Infrastructure Investment Plan should nurture Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between private companies and the Gweru City Council to reduce the housing backlog in the city.
“The housing backlog in Gweru is very high, as private sector we are expecting to partner the city council in addressing this challenge. The city should be reviewing its master plan so that more land can be provided for housing developments,” he said.
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