Govt to regularise Melfort stands
GOVERNMENT has begun regularising Diamond Park residential stands at Melfort Farm, Goromonzi, in its continued efforts to standardise some illegal settlements in urban centres across the country.
The project, spearheaded by youths in the area and Vitadge Property and East Wind developers, will see at least 5000 people including war veterans, youths, civil servants and the disabled benefiting.
In a letter from the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, dated September 21, 2020, Government agreed to regularise the Diamond Park Phases A, B and C stands.
Construction has resumed under phase A and part of phase B while issuance of the phase C stands has been temporarily frozen.
“In the meeting, it was agreed that regularisation of Diamond Park will subsist going forward.
“The Ministries has directed that the Department of Physical Planning in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities and local authority (Goromonzi Rural District) engage with a view to regularize the Melfort Housing settlement,” reads part of the letter.
Speaking at a residents meeting on Saturday, project director Rodgers Pote who is also Zanu PF youth league provincial executive member commended the Government for walking the talk in its efforts towards regularizing a project that comes complimentary to Vision 2030.
The vision also seeks to provide decent housing to citizens especially the youth and those living with disability.
“Our wish is that every Zimbabwean should have a decent roof over his or her head regardless of how much they earn, which explains our interests in civil servants, the disabled and other groups.
“We thank the Government through National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe and our project endorsement which came after his presentation at the last Cabinet meeting. It goes a long way in making this project a success and also shows that we are in the right direction,” he said.
The youth friendly project also has financiers — NSSA through NMB bank and they have already started bankrolling on roads construction and sewer reticulation systems to ensure that the gated community is up to the expected standards.
Pote said the developers have put in place recommended plans for both cottages and main houses and that boreholes will be drilled to ensure supply of clean water to the community.
He warned against corrupt elements who are said to be extorting from desperate home seekers.
“We are not going to be lenient on those who will be caught extorting for desperate citizens because we know there are foreign elements who want to tarnish the image of the party and its good deeds.
“This was state land and therefore no one has the right to come and say anything to the interested individuals. We stick to what the Government has to say to us as we continue to protect the people.
“This is not going to be a shanty city so we will do whatever in our power to adhere to Government directive,” he said.-herald.cl.zw
