Government — in
partnership with the City of Harare — has started renovating Matapi Flats in
Mbare, Harare, under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) priority
projects, a senior official has said.
The provision
of decent housing is part of priority projects under the TSP, together with
power generation, water and sanitation, and transport and communication.
Speaking during
a tour to check on progress at the flats yesterday, Deputy Minister of Local
Government, Public Works and National Housing Jennifer Mhlanga said the
Government was committed to ensuring that people had decent accommodation.
“We are
committed to the total revamping of these super structures so that our people
live in better shelter and environments,” Deputy Minister Mhlanga said. “We want to
have an input so that we have a shared vision for these flats. We will be
inviting His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) to witness this development.”
Deputy Minister
Mhlanga said the tour was in preparation of a main tour to be led by the
President soon. She said the refurbishment was at the instruction of President
Mnangagwa following his visit there last year.
“Following a
tour by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to assess the
damage caused by fire that gutted the flats last year, the President instructed
that the flats be renovated,” she said.
Deputy Minister
Mhlanga said Government found forthcoming partners and roped in the City of
Harare to undertake the project in order to improve the aesthetic status of
citizens’ habitation.
“As you can
see, a full block has been painted front, back and inside corridors,” she said.
“Steel doors
have been replaced, broken windows have been replaced.”
City council
offices and Matapi Clinic have also received restoration. The refurbishment
involved the painting of the building, rehabilitation of the sewer and water
system and the painting of the pre-cast wall which surrounds the offices.
Government,
Deputy Minister Mhlanga said, was working hard to ensure that everyone had
access to clean and safe water, which is not only a basic need, but a
necessity.
Last year, a
non-governmental organisation, Oxfam, also partnered the City of Harare in the
rehabilitation of the sewer reticulation system at Matapi Flats.
Residents of
Block 4 which has received complete refurbishment said they were grateful for
the project. Herald
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