LOCAL Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere has pledged to dole out about 15 000 housing stands to Bulawayo residents by December 2018 as part of efforts to reduce the city’s housing backlog of over 100 000 units.
by VENERANDA LANGA
Kasukuwere made the disclosure while addressing the National Assembly last Wednesday.
He said Matabeleland North was also set to benefit from 28 772 stands.
He had been quizzed by Nketa MP Phelela Masuku to explain his ministry’s measures to address the housing backlog in the country’s second capital.
“Bulawayo city has a housing backlog of approximately 110 000 as per their housing waiting list,” Kasukuwere said.
“To date 17 137 housing units and serviced stands have been delivered. Accordingly, the ministry has assigned specific annual provincial targets for all stakeholders to meet by December 2018. Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s target stands is at 15 000, whilst that of Matabeleland North is at 28 772,” Kasukuwere said.
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“The ministry will continue to facilitate the delivery of housing in all the provinces in order to meet the ZimAsset target. We are going to upscale the housing delivery process in Bulawayo.”
According to the ZimAsset economic blueprint, the Zanu PF government targets to deliver 125 000 units or serviced stands through the National Housing Delivery Programme by 2018. This target translates to 25 000 units or stands per annum.
The national housing backlog is at 1 250 000 units, with the ministry setting a target of 313 368 housing units or stands to be delivered over five years by all housing stakeholders.
On the water situation in Bulawayo, Kasukuwere said the city no longer had water challenges and was providing adequate supplies every day.
“Bulawayo City Council is servicing 127 666 households out of 130 146 in the city. The council is no longer shedding water and the physical parameters and micro-biological tests meet the set drinking water standards.
“For your own information, Bulawayo City Council scooped the Best Local Authority Award for providing water in terms of quality and supply at the previous Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. It is the only local authority in Zimbabwe supplying non-revenue (an amount of water which is not charged) water to its residents.”
He said his ministry would work with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate to fully assess more sustainable sources of water for the city.
