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Victor Maphosa Herald Correspondent
The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) has commended Government for renovating Mbare flats, saying the new administration was fulfilling its promise to provide decent accommodation to all.

This comes after President Mnangagwa visited the flats on Monday to assess progress.

In a statement, the Trust said the renovation of the flats was a major and commendable step in achieving the provision of decent accommodation to everyone.

“Harare Residents Trust (HRT) commends the Government of Zimbabwe for moving in to renew blocks of flats in Mbare suburb which were constructed in the colonial era. The HRT views the Mbare flats renewal as a major positive step taken by the Government in the provision of decent accommodation to the majority of poor people who live in squalor.

“In light of the latest developments where Government has partnered with a Singaporean company to refurbish the flats, the HRT calls for the Government also to quickly address the issues of outdated vehicle models and buildings in all urban centres in order to standardise urbanisation in Zimbabwe.”

HRT said a considerable number of old private and public transport vehicles have become a nuisance on urban routes, thereby increasing air and environmental pollution contrary to the increased climate change programming recognised in the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

President Mnangagwa visited the hostels last year, a few days before the July 30 elections after an inferno left 65 families homeless and promised to provide decent homes for the people of Mbare.

The refurbishment is being done under the framework of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which has the provision of decent housing among priority projects together with power generation, water and sanitation, and transport and communication.

Government is carrying out the renovations in partnership with Harare City Council with the works being done by FGC Singapore.

During the visit, President Mnangagwa said he was satisfied with the progress, adding that all the blocks in Mbare will get a facelift.