CHENDA

By XAVIER MANCHISHI-
LOCAL Government Minister Emmanuel Chenda has welcomed the housing scheme which will see three private entities construct 100,000 housing units in Zambia annually.
Mr Chenda said the housing project will mitigate the country’s housing deficit that stands at 1.5 million units with the low income bracket the most hit.
“As a ministry responsible for housing, we have always been aware that the country is suffering from a housing deficit, especially from the low income earners,” Mr Chenda said.
He said previously, Government used to empower the local authorities to come up with the Site and Service initiative which saw councils identify land on which housing units were built for the common citizens.
Mr Chenda said Government will facilitate the implementation of the housing project on a well serviced piece of land with proper water and sanitation facilities, drainage system, access roads and other social amenities.
“The issue of housing cannot only be handled by the Government but by all stakeholders. Particularly, we are concerned about the lack of appropriate houses for the poor since the rich have the option of buying land,” he said.
The minister also said the aspect of the developers of the housing scheme using cheaper materials would make the units affordable.
The joint venture agreement for the housing scheme was signed on Friday by Africapaciti Investment Group, EnviroBoard Zambia and EnviroBoard Corporation USA at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The agreement covers the financing and establishment of three factories to manufacture prefabricated housing materials and the construction of low-cost houses in Zambia.