The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has set up a committee in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to monitor the allocation of residential space by cooperatives and deal with existing haphazard settlements.
The move seeks to mitigate the effects of natural disasters like the flooding witnessed in some urban areas around the country in recent years.
In an interview with The Manica Post on the sidelines of his tour of Natview which was developed by Mutare Housing Cooperative Union yesterday (Thursday), Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the New Dispensation is geared towards averting disasters.
Dr Mswere was representing the Cabinet Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management on a two-day assignment to assess the progress made in rebuilding Chimanimani following Cyclone Idai two years ago.
“This is a very democratic Government that promotes interaction between the central authority and the citizenry. Spatial planning should be done in close collaboration with the respective ministry and department so that we will not have disasters in future.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works now has a team that is committed to deal with all these issues that relate to planning. Citizens should follow set up guidelines so that we will not have more disasters from haphazard construction.
“The Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Committee was on a two-day assignment to empirically assess the progress that has been achieved on the ground so far. In terms of road construction and infrastructure restoration, we saw the significant progress that has been made in Chimanimani after the Cyclone Idai disaster.
“We will compile the observations made on the ground and make recommendations to President Mnangagwa. We are an action oriented Government and I can assure you that the results are evident on the ground,” said Dr Muswere.
He commended the cooperative behind the construction of Natview and pledged to assist in expediting the process to have the suburb attain a Certificate of Compliance that will enable beneficiaries to get title deeds for their properties.
Dr Muswere said delivery of housing to citizens through cooperatives is one of the low hanging fruits in the attainment of Vision 2030. Chairman of the Mutare Housing Cooperative Union, Mr Mike Duru thanked Government for its support in delivering decent accommodation to the people of Zimbabwe.
“We worked with several resident ministers from the start to the completion of the Natview Housing Project. We developed the land to ensure that every stand gets access to water reticulation and sewer services. We had our challenges given the dynamics in the economy in recent years, but our efforts are evident.
“The only challenge that we are now facing is the 7km stretch of road that needs to be upgraded so that we can get our Certificate of Compliance. This is the challenge that we humbly submit to you minister for Government’s assistance,” said Mr Duru.
On Wednesday, Minister Muswere and his delegation toured Chimanimani to assess the Cyclone Idai restoration initiatives being carried out by the Government.
Work being done there include the construction of houses for the victims, the construction of roads and bridges, the rehabilitation of community sites, provision of agricultural inputs and the restoration of livestock production, among other things.
