Online ReporterRutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Government is tightening regulations to ensure local authorities improve service delivery through the enforcement of a minimum service delivery standards framework.
This initiative aims to enhance urban planning and address housing challenges, particularly in flood-prone areas such as Cowdray Park.
The move follows a visit by Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Albert Mavhunga to the high-density suburb on Tuesday.
The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation of houses constructed on wetlands, which are frequently affected by flooding.
Speaking during the tour, Dep Min Mavhunga expressed concern over the inadequate servicing of residential stands and pledged Government intervention to rectify the issue.
“We took time to come to Cowdray Park where we saw some houses affected by flooding because they are in a wetland. We just wanted to get an appreciation of the situation on the ground,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mavhunga said the stands which were supposed to be serviced many years ago were yet to be serviced.
He urged council to expedite the relocation of affected residents saying a compensation model had already been agreed upon.
“We have asked council to immediately work on relocating families of affected houses so that we permanently address this problem,” said Deputy Minister Mavhunga.
He said a compensation framework has already been agreed upon and implementing modalities were being finalised.
Deputy Minister Mavhunga said local authorities must adhere to minimum service delivery standards to align with Vision 2030 of achieving an upper-middle-income society.
“We have also highlighted that under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, there are minimum service delivery standards that each local authority has to meet to ensure that citizens receive the best possible services,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mavhunga said before stands are sold to homeseekers they must be fully serviced.
He warned that the Government would not compromise on service delivery, particularly in water provision, sewer management and urban planning.
In line with the Government’s policy of “leaving no one and no place behind,” Deputy Minister Mavhunga said the Presidential Title Deeds Programme will soon be rolled out in Cowdray Park following its successful implementation in Harare.
“We know the Government is rolling out the Presidential Title Deeds Programme and the next beneficiaries are Cowdray Park residents. This is the commitment that the President has to the people to ensure that everyone has a title to his or her property,” said Deputy Minister Mavhunga.
The initiative is expected to provide security of tenure to homeowners. — @nyeve14
