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Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Gweru City Council has embarked on the development of the Ivene Extension housing project which will see the construction of 2 227 residential and institutional stands at a cost of US$56 million.

Speaking at a recent budget review meeting, GCC acting finance director Mr Owen Masimba said the local authority is participating in the National Housing Development Programme where housing provision has been identified as key in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).

“A Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn between Government and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), which is the contractor.

‘‘We regard this as a positive development towards alleviating the housing needs for the people of Gweru because the project will avail over 2 000 modern housing facilities and institutional stands.”

He said the project will reduce the current housing backlog which stands at 22 000 and continues to be pushed by Midlands State University which has a student population of approximately 20 000.

Masimba said the Ivene Extension project would rake in more revenue for  council.

Meanwhile, Gweru residents have blasted council for its snail’s pace in the servicing of the long overdue Mkoba 21 stands which were availed for years ago.

Gweru Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association president Cornelia Seliphiwe said council was short-changing residents who bought the stands.

“Residents strongly feel short-changed because they invested money in the project with the hope of becoming land  owners.

‘‘We are being continuously told that the project is set to start. The extension of the waiting period is now frustrating home seekers.”

Gweru City Council last year budgeted $5 million for the development of the new suburb and work on the project was supposed to start in January last year.