His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa recently commissioned Marimba Flats in Harare. The two (2) medium density blocks of walk-up apartments were constructed to accommodate health professionals. The President commended the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities for successfully completing the project at a time the country and the world over, were grappling with the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Government allocated these housing units to our esteemed doctors who form part of our frontline workers in this fight against the pandemic. Plans to construct institutional accommodation for Doctors, Nurses and Health Workers in all major hospitals across the country, are at an advanced stage’, he said. His Excellency also explained that the projects entailed various phases; with Phase 1 comprising the construction of several blocks of flats, shopping malls and other recreational facilities at Sally Mugabe and Ingutsheni Hospitals in Harare and Bulawayo respectively. Phases 2 and 3 of the project would cascade to provincial and district hospitals accordingly.
He emphasized that Government was seized with ensuring that a total of 220 000 housing units are delivered to the nation within the period set out in the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 (2021-2025).
Also addressing the gathering, the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Honourable Daniel Garwe pointed out that given the backlog of housing units in the country, which stands at 1.5 million, the Ministry was working on modalities to accelerate housing delivery through use of alternative building technology. The approach is envisaged to minimize construction costs and timelines. He noted that other members of the civil service will be catered for in various housing delivery packages offered by the Ministry.
The event was attended by the Vice President Honourable. Rtd. General Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga who is also Minister of Health and Child Care, Cabinet Ministers, Private sector representatives, development partners and City of Harare officials.
