Housing delivery backlog addressed
The department of Human Settlements in the North West is more determined to ensure that it reduces the housing backlog and fast track the process of delivering houses to legible beneficiaries across the province. The commitment is part of the resolutions take during the recent strategic retreat session held in Rustenburg where the department undertook to up the momentum and deliver on its mandate to close the gap that was created in the past three years.
The department has in the past few weeks crisscrossed the province introducing over 30 contractors to municipalities, to start on new housing projects or to unblock blocked projects. One major project that has been on hold for some time is the Bokamoso project in Rustenburg in the Bojanala District. The objective of the project was to bring about sustainable human settlement in the area and provide around 4000 fully serviced units. However due to challenges brought by external and internal challenges, the project was put on hold.
The project is part of developing houses around the mining areas and also eradicate informal settlements. Thus far the department has managed to install internal services and further developed top structures. According to the departmental acting head, James Mashigo, the department has now take a decision to install services first so that when beneficiaries occupy their houses, they must have full services.
“We have taken a different approach as a department to prioritise bulk services first to ensure that we hand over houses with full services. We do this in conjunction with local municipalities, mainly because they will have to further take care of those services. We also call on municipalities to work closely with those appointed contractors to ensure that the said projects are completed on time,’ said Mashigo.
Mashigo further said that, remedial actions have been taken on minor issue that were pointed out by beneficiaries during the minister of Human Settlements, Mamoloko Kubayi’s visit. He said that, Dimakotso constructions has been appointed to complete the remaining 977 sites. In addition to the said appointment, the department is in an advance stage in appointing the developer for 320 units and 200 units which will complete the 1600 units of phase 1 for construction of top structure.
The department has also appointed developers in municipalities such as Moses Kotane where over (2000) thousand houses are to be constructed. The department has however called on local traditional leaders to work closely with municipalities and contribute to the successful completion of houses for beneficiaries in tribal lands.
Other municipalities that will see blocked projects unblocked and new projects started include, Naledi, Ditsobotla, Lekwa Teemane, Maquasi Hills and others. The department has vowed to turn the province into a construction site and further create more jobs through all the said projects. The department has also committed to put at the helm, Women, child headed households, youth and people with disability in terms of appointment of developers and beneficiaries.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane
Cell: 072 542 8444
Tel: 018 388 2391
