Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
GOVERNMENT says it is confident of achieving one million housing units by the end of this year through enhanced public-private participation.
A ground-breaking ceremony of a new housing project to provide at least 600 low cost stands in the Retreat area of Waterfalls in Harare, was held this Wednesday.
Operation Nehemiah Housing Project is an initiative implemented under the United Family International Church.
The noise of the yellow machines ignites excitement among beneficiaries as they look forward to becoming owners of their destiny.
This is the conversation among these women who are set to become home owners after enduring decades as tenants.
“I am very happy, finally I will be a landlord. This is indeed a dream come true for me after 20 years as a tenant,” a beneficiary, Gogo Mupfunya, said.
“I am really overjoyed. I want a corner stand so that I can decorate and showcase the beauty of my house. I cannot wait for this day,” beneficiary Mrs Ndlovu said.
“I am young and this is an opportunity that has come my way. I am really grateful,” a beneficiary said.
It will not be long before their dreams are fulfilled, as the project is expected to be completed within the next few months.
According to government, Operation Nehemiah Housing Project, re-affirms the national vision of providing smart and affordable housing for all, through enhanced collaboration between the public and the private sector.
“We are really impressed with the participation of private sector players within the real estate. As government we look at more players coming on board to support the national vision as spelt out by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Through private sector participation we remain confident of achieving the revised target to achieve one million housing units by end of this year,” Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Engineer Benjamin Kabikira said.
“We realise the gap within the housing sector and therefore are coming to work with the government in order to ensure that we support the national housing delivery programme. This first phase will unlock at least 1 000 housing stands as we have another project which is in Norton,” United Family International Church (UFIC) –Spokesperson, Pastor Prime Kufa said.
Provision of affordable housing for all, is one of the priority areas for the government under the National Development Strategy One (NDS1).
Since inception, the Second Republic has accelerated development of housing units, stands and flats, with official statistics indicating the figures have gone beyond 700 000 across the country.
