75 000 civil servants for housing scheme

AT LEAST 75 000 civil servants have registered to take up flats and residential stands offered by Government in an bid to provide low-costing housing for its employees.

This follows the announcement of prices of flat units by Government in April this year ranging between US$32 000 and US$72 000. The cost of residential stands is still being negotiated.

Government and representatives of civil servants under the Apex Council are yet to come with payment schemes.

Apex council chairperson Mr Cecilia Alexander told The Sunday Mail that the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry was capturing data of potential beneficiaries, and implored civil servants to take up the offer.

“So far 75 000 civil servants have registered for the scheme and the Ministry of Public service is now capturing data submitted by the civil servants,” she said.

“The information includes the areas the civil servants prefer and wither a flat unit or residential stand. We are encouraging civil servants to take up flat units as precedence of servicing and building will be first given to flat units.”

Government has identified land for building of high rise flats and for stands across Zimbabwe.

At the inaugural Presidential Youth Interface Meeting at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera recently, President Mugabe said there was need to concentrate on building upwards.

University of Zimbabwe lecturer in the Department of Rural and Urban Planning Mr Nyasha Mutsindikwa applauded the move for vertical construction.

“There is need for Government to seriously consider this type of housing as a small piece of land can accommodate many people,” he said. “The buildings are cheap to maintain and cheap to provide ablution facilities. High rise apartments are the way to go in the modern age that we are living in.”

Civil servants have been agitating for housing schemes that target them specifically.