Chronicle Editor
Sharon Chiware Midlands Reporter
GWERU City Council has set aside $5 million to service 2 000 residential stands in three suburbs to reduce its housing backlog. The stands are in Mkoba 21, Randolf and Northlea suburbs, and once completed, will reduce the housing waiting list from the current 25 000 to 23 000.In an interview, town clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza said the stands should be ready early next year.
“We have set aside $5 million, which we think will be enough to service residential stands in Mkoba 21 Suburb, Randolf, Northlea and other infills in town. We want the stands to be ready by early next year so that the residents will start building their houses. Council is working on reducing the housing waiting list,” she said. Ms Gwatipedza said apart from serving the residential stands, council had also set aside industrial stands in plots around Mkoba 21, Randolf and Northlea. She said the plot holders should as a matter of urgency find alternative places to settle before council starts servicing the stands for industrial development.
“All plot holders who used to engage in urban smallholder activities should vacate from the mentioned areas as these have been set aside for industrial stand development,” said Ms Gwatipedza.
“We are working on developing the areas and those who are preparing to plant in the area should stop immediately. As we are about to start on servicing these residential stands, we are urging the residents to comply with the council orders if there is need.
“We want the job to be done on time and we will not entertain any inconvenience. We want residents to start building their houses.”
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