Budiriro houses commissioned Harare City Council has appealed to Government for more housing land to fulfil its housing quota under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset). Town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi made the appeal when he addressed a gathering to mark the belated World Habitat Day in Budiriro on Thursday 16 October at the Budiriro Housing project built under a partnership between the city and Central African Building Society. “Most importantly our appeal to Government is for the provision of more land for housing development to allow us to meet our ZimAsset quota on housing provision,’’ he said. The 3 102 houses built under the partnership were later commissioned by the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr. Ignatius Chombo. The celebrations were held under the theme “Voices from the Slums” and the messages revolved around providing adequate shelter for all – in the context of the ZimAsset. Addressing over 400 people Dr Chombo said cities should be planned well to avoid slums and squatter settlements. “Under this theme I would like to underscore the need to plan our cities well because unplanned urban expansion leads to chaotic development and the sprouting of slums and squatter settlements. It is this context that this day presents a platform for highlighting such key human settlement issues,” said Dr Chombo. Harare metropolitan Province has been mandated to build 105 135 housing units by December 2018. Acting Mayor Cllr Thomas Muzuva said Harare was working with partners to reduce slum settlements with a view of achieving a World Class City by 2025. “Our goal working together with all our partners is to reduce the number of slum dwellers in Harare and afford them decent lifestyles that conform to our vision of becoming a World Class City,” said Cllr Mazuva. Dr. Tendai Mahachi urged property developers to build decent and affordable houses. “This calls for the property market to respond effectively and responsibly through the provision of decent social housing that caters for the poor of our society as we strive for an inclusive city, Harare can’t be for the rich alone –the urban ecosystem needs all social strata to co-exist in an environment that promotes social cohesion and security,’’ said Dr Mahachi.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:57:38 +0000
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