adminTalent Chimutambgi and Conrad Mupesa
GOVERNMENT is accelerating the regularisation and upgrade of informal settlements countrywide to overcome the problem of land barons cheating home seekers and to ensure that everyone can have their own home.
Speaking during the launch of the National Housing Delivery Programme in Mashonaland West on Monday, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said his ministry was committed to providing housing for all, as espoused under Vision 2030 and in line with the country’s constitution, which calls for decent accommodation as every citizen’s right.
“The number of people on waiting lists in search of housing is alarming and this has also created room for corrupt activities as people are being promised land, which is not there,” said Minister Garwe.
“Our President is a constitutionalist. He wants people to have dignity and you can’t be dignified while living under squalid conditions.
“We are correcting the wrongdoings of the old dispensation whereby land barons were fleecing unsuspecting home-seekers of their hard earned cash under the guise of getting blessings from big officials in the Government.”
Minister Garwe said the main thrust was to enable all citizens to get affordable, sustainable and decent housing delivery, which can withstand the test of climatic change in tandem with President Mnangagwa’s call for good housing to all the citizens.
“The key pillars in this exercise included providing sustainable, affordable and modern houses that withstand climatic changes experienced in the world, which are causing floods,” said Minister Garwe.
“The issue of housing delivery is also in the Zanu PF manifesto, so the Government is walking the talk.”
Minister Garwe promised to engage the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works after stakeholders at the meeting lamented delay in the approval of layout plans.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, said the development would propel the Government’s Vision 2030.
“The move by the Government to attain Vision 2030, which seeks to make Zimbabwe a middle class economy is only achievable if citizens access decent and affordable housing,” said Minister Mliswa-Chikoka.
The meeting was attended by all seven districts in Mashonaland West.
Online Reporter