IT is an undeniable fact that Zambia has a serious housing deficit and the less privileged in society are the most affected.
As a result of this housing deficit, more than half of the urban population live in crowded informal settlements with poor sanitary conditions.
Every human being deserves the dignity of decent shelter. After all, housing is a fundamental human right that contributes to the social and economic development of the country.
Government has since recognised this problem and plans are underway to support the less privileged through provision of decent shelter.
Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, Chishimba Kambwili noted that Government is aware of this vexing issue where about 70 per cent of the urban people are still living in unsanitary crowded informal settlements.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Luanshya Municipal Council and the Zambian Homeless and Poor People’s Federation (ZHPPF) where Mr Kambwili was guest of honour gives hope to this problem in Luanshya.
This MoU is aimed at providing decent shelter and improved services for the under privileged in society.
The council has allocated 240 plots in Roan Township in Luanshya and will help service the area to ensure the beneficiaries built decent and affordable houses.
It is pleasing that Government is willing to support the less privileged by providing land.
The assurance that Government will work with communities and ensure the people live in decent and affordable shelters should be comforting to the would-be beneficiaries.
Mr Kambwili stated that Government would provide land while members of the public would construct their houses through working together, saving and mobilising other communities.
Just like the minister observed, utility companies and other partners need to support ZHPPF’s initiative to develop communities.
While this is a good move, Mr Kambwili also issued a timely warning to Patriotic Front councillors to desist from illegal allocation of such land to other members of society.
Luanshya Mayor, Gordon Siwale said the local authority had donated 400 x 450 metres of land which would be divided into 240 plots.
Mr Siwale assured that the signing of the MoU was just the beginning of the process to show the council’s commitment in fulfilling the mandate of facilitating the provision of decent shelter.
This indeed is a clear indicator that the Luanshya Municipal Council was addressing the plight of the poor and homeless people in the communities.
It is hoped that more local authorities across Zambia will emulate the Luanshya gesture in providing decent housing to the less privileged in society.
By so doing, the councils and of course the central government will be implementing the Sixth National Development Plan whose focus is on the need to construct housing units across the nation.
It is now up to all stakeholders to come on board and help Government in delivering the much-needed decent accommodation to all Zambians.