By Tatenda Mujeyi
Cabinet through the Chairperson of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Committee, Vice President C. G Chiwenga is introspecting irregular and dysfunctional settlements.
“Cabinet received an update on the identification and quantification of irregular and dysfunctional settlements including in flood-prone areas which were presented by Hon. Vice President Chiwenga as Chairman of the Enhanced Cabinet Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management,” the Chairperson of Post Cabinet briefs, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said.
The process which has been underway will be completed by March 12 in a bid to understand the actual obtained dynamics and structure settlement strategies.
“On progress achieved as of 1st March 2021, Cabinet was informed that the identification and quantification of irregular and dysfunctional settlements, including in flood-prone areas, has been completed. The verification of numbers of people affected is underway in all provinces in order to lock out opportunists, and will be completed by 12th March 2021.”
The process will also facilitate for government to structure resettlement plans with the exercise having been completed for Harare metropolitan province.
“On the relocation strategy for settlements affected by flooding, Cabinet wishes to advise that the exercise to move affected households to holding camps has already started in the Harare Metropolitan Province, and will spread to all the other provinces. Households in Harare Metropolitan, Midlands, and Manicaland provinces who are affected have been identified and quantified for relocation,” Honourable Mutsvangwa said.
The strategy will see the government redeveloping settlements to better habitat communities with one of the pilot projects, the Mbare redevelopment designs, and location, complete.
“Cabinet is therefore informing the public that in Mbare, four (4) sites have been identified under Phase 1 of the Mbare Re-development Programme, with potential to accommodate in excess of 2,000 households at an estimated cost of ZW$ 6,5 billion. The architectural designs for the proposed flats and the attendant three-dimension models for the development are available.”
The Government has also sought the participation of the private sector to realize the speedy implementation of the project.
“The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities is engaging private sector players so that they also participate and take up additional projects under Phase 1 of the programme. Factory shells that attract investors will also assist in creating employment in order to reduce distances that citizens often traverse to get to workplaces.” Hon Mutsvangwa said.
Cabinet also resolved that the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities will lead the process which has identified other settlements in Manresa/Tafara, Dzivarasekwa, and Prospect.