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The Bulawayo City Council in conjunction with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and World Vision Zimbabwe is implementing the project, which is meant to resettle squatters from Killarney and Trenance.
Last month the council unveiled 197 housing stands to the homeless families, bringing to an end the controversy that has seen villagers in the area clashing with council over the relocation of the squatters.
A Chronicle newscrew yesterday visited the new village where beneficiaries and builders were busy working on the stands.
The newscrew observed that building material that consists of bricks, quarry and pit sand had already been delivered. Five boreholes have also been sunk while temporary toilets have been erected for hygiene purposes before the construction of Blair toilets.
Other villagers, with the assistance of builders, were busy pegging and digging foundations for the new houses with others clearing the land.
The exercise will see each household having a two- roomed house built for it.
In separate interviews the villagers expressed excitement that the project has started and paid tribute to the council and its development partners, IOM and World Vision, for initiating the programme.
Contacted for comment World Vision Zimbabwe public relations officer Mr Leonard Makombe said the partners had set a target of up to end of June to complete the construction of two-roomed houses for each household.
“Work has started following the groundbreaking ceremony late last month. As the three partners, Bulawayo City Council, the International Organisation for Migration and World Vision Zimbabwe, we are very positive that 197 families would be resettled before the end of this month,” said Mr Makombe.
“Five boreholes have been sunk and are already being used while Blair toilets are being constructed. We are very happy with the smoothness of the progress. Much of the work will be done before the end of June and the 197 families will also play their part in this project.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said the local authority was concerned about the problem of squatters in various parts of the city and was discussing various strategies to solve the problem.
He said squatters deserved to have land like anyone else and said residents should not make unfounded comments about them.
As part of the programme IOM and World Vision would assist the villagers to earn a livelihood through agricultural activities.
They will also facilitate the construction of a secondary school and a clinic in the village.
Online Reporter