Story by Bruce Chahwanda
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says the government is ready to partner with the private sector in the Second Republic’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all citizens.
He said this while commissioning the Fontaine Ridge Housing Project which has more than 800 units in Harare this Wednesday.
The provision of modern housing is a top priority under the Second Republic, hence the government has set a target of providing more than 200 000 housing units by 2025.
In line with the set targets, President Mnangagwa commissioned the Fontaine Ridge Housing Project, which has 858 units, some of which have been completed and occupied.
The President said, “Allow me to emphasise that the Second Republic stands ready to collaborate with key stakeholders, including the private sector, to make our country’s human settlements, inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable as a way toward improving the quality of life of our people. The sector is assured that my government will facilitate investments in real estate development as a critical enabler to ensure that our communities enjoy the security, dignity, and comfort that comes with affordable home ownership.’’
President Mnangagwa said the government is creating a conducive environment for public-private partnerships to thrive.
“Under my administration, ownership, as well as access to modern and affordable housing, remains a key priority area in our national development matrix and the quest to improve the standard of living of our people. My Government is, thus, determined to create an enabling environment to give impetus to the accelerated development of housing, water, sanitation, modern road networks and other social amenities across the country.
“In this regard, I call upon more real estate developers to partner, with the responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, taking advantage of the various opportunities that are being availed in our quest to roll out affordable and quality housing solutions for our citizenry. Leveraging innovations and contemporary solutions. I further challenge the public and private sectors to scale up collaborations towards establishing vibrant, renewed and integrated systems that facilitate the speedy implementation of housing development projects,” he added.
Zimbabwe is on the right path towards achieving its housing targets and the existing partnership with the private sector has been cited as key towards the provision of decent and affordable accommodation.