THE GOVERNMENT is on track to surpass its target to deliver 220 000 housing units by 2025 leveraging on partnerships with the private sector and new technology in the human settlement.
This was said by Vice President Dr Costantino Chiwenga and
buttressed by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe
during groundbreaking ceremony of walk-up housing flats being spearheaded by
Government in partnership with Shelter Afrique in Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe is a shareholder of the pan-African banking
institution that exclusively supports the development of affordable housing and
real estate sector growth in Africa, who have pledged US$25 million sovereign
fund to finance at least 3 000 housing units.
President Mnangagwa launched the Zimbabwe National Human
Settlement Policy in September last year and the Ministry of National Housing
is operationalising the policy in partnership with the private sector in line
with Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Delivering affordable and quality settlements in urban and
rural areas is one of Government core targets to improve access to affordable
and quality housing and soial amenities under the economic blueprint.
Zimbabwe has a national housing backlog of around 1,5
million units and targets to deliver 1,2 units by 2030 and part of the vision
is to change the face Zimbabwe by building modern houses that are sustainable
and environment friendly.
The Victoria Falls walk-up flats will be a model that will
be replicated countrywide.
The first phase will have three blocks with three storeys
each and each will accommodate six families.
VP Chiwenga said the Second Republic is committed to making
sure all Government projects are implemented especially construction and
infrastructure, to improve livelihoods of citizens.
“It is my singular honour to address you at this occasion
to mark the groundbreaking ceremony for the Victoria Falls walk up flats. This
marks yet another milestone in our quest for housing delivery.
“I am reliably informed that the first phase of this flat
site that we are launching today has a potential to accommodate 24 families in
total.
“Subsequent phases will be implemented in this city and
other local authorities in Zimbabwe as we seek to meet the national target of
220 000 housing units by 2025, if not more. I think Honourable Minister
(National Housing) we shall surpass your target. The foundation stone has been
laid, let the construction start in earnest,” said VP Chiwenga.
He said Zimbabwe is pursuing a densification strategy as
pronounced in the Zimbabwe National Human Settlement Policy to preserve land
which is a finite resource.
On a lighter note, VP Chiwenga said Government will invest
more in high rise buildings since there is no boundary going up, and “maybe to
surpass the envisaged Tower of Babel which we have ready in the Bible.”
He said accommodation is important to the people, adding
that what is critical to a human being is water, food and shelter and Government
will surely provide these.
“We are responsible for the livelihood of our people and we
must make sure those three basic needs are provided and they shall be provided.
This construction project will go a long way in reducing the ever ballooning
housing backlog in Victoria Falls and ultimately in the entire country,” said
VP Chiwenga.
He said the project is a clear demonstration of a
successful public-private partnership, as unveiling housing finance is critical
in the social amenities delivery value chain.
Zimbabwe is one of the four countries, the others being
Cameroon, Nigeria and Togo that Shelter Afrique pledged funding to.
Local financial institutions have also shown interest in
partnering Government in housing projects.
The country lacks financial resources to respond to the
demand of rapid urbanization and housing, in an environment where cost of
borrowing is exorbitant.
The VP said partners like Shelter Afrique become handy as
an avenue for affordable finance which allows Governments space to provide
appropriate safety nets to vulnerable groups
“These PPPs give impetus to the construction of modern
block of flats which dovetails with our desire to achieve densification which
enables us to accommodate more people per square metre. I therefore call upon
the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, City of Victoria Falls
and all stakeholders to join forces for the successful implementation of this
project.
“Together we can spearhead the provision of sustainable
human settlements with requisite basic amenities in line with the aspirations
of the African Union Agenda 2063. The foundation stone has been laid, let the
construction start in earnest. There is no going back, when we come here we
want to see the foundations up. If we say seven months it must be seven months.
“Those who are responsible for roles, must do their roles
so that that everything goes as is planned,” said the VP while calling for an
all-stakeholder approach in projects delivery to leave a better country for the
generations to come.
National Housing Minister Garwe said sustainable human
settlements development require huge capital and this cannot be provided by the
Government alone. Herald
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