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Blessings Chidakwa

Municipal Reporter
THE National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has taken over the financing of the key Sakubva urban renewal project, providing US$6 million in tranches.

An investor who had expressed interest in 2019 had failed to provide finances for the initiative to modernise the old and run-down suburb and turn Mutare into a Smart City in line with the Government’s Vision 2030.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, who oversees urban development, and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima, who oversees NSSA, yesterday witnessed the signing of the deal between NSSA and Mutare City Council.

Minister Moyo said the concerned parties met on Monday to iron out issues with regards to NSSA financing a number of projects in Mutare for urban renewal.

Government approved a number of urban renewal projects in November 2018 including that of Sakubva with a ground breaking ceremony having been done but the financier failed to honour his pledge.

“We are happy that NSSA is willing to co-operate with Mutare. Our people are living in urban areas built in the colonial era without proper livelihoods.

“There is no proper accommodation for families with some sharing facilities. We are glad that as Government we assisted in facilitating the deal as Mutare and NSSA found each other,” said Minister Moyo.

Sakubva, Mutare’s oldest suburb, was established around 1925 and the colonial housing standards were poor and there has been little upgrade.

Most residents in the area live in crowded and unhygienic conditions, a result of historically poor town planning and a lot of sub-standard housing built very cheaply by a colonial council wanting minimum-level accommodation for what it saw as purely migrant workers.

Minister Mavima urged the council and NSSA to speedily implement the project.

NSSA acting general manager Mr Charles Shava said as a company they were excited to be availing US$6 million since the project dovetails with the organisation’s thrust of being a world class provider of social security.

“This is an important project for us. The money will be disbursed in tranches as the project is being implemented in phases,” he said.

Mutare acting town clerk Mr Blessing Chafesuka said they were excited about the development and during the first phase, NSSA will invest at least US$600 000 while the city will chip in with US$400 000.

“The project stalled due to lack of financing, but now we look forward to its implementation. Our hope is that by early 2023 we should be commissioning it,” he said.

The grand plan for the project will see the construction of high rise flats, revamping of Sakubva flea market, the Sakubva long-distance bus terminus, Sakubva Stadium, Sakubva Beit Hall and Sakubva vegetable market.

The suburb was considered sub-standard even in the 1970s, well before independence, by the municipal officials who had to administer the area and while redevelopment plans have been drawn up several times since then, it is only now that a determined effort is being made.