MEC Miga vows to unblock blocked projects
The MEC for Human Settlements in the North West Lina Miga urged her departmental officials to fast track the process of unblocking blocked projects, as many needy beneficiaries were left more stranded by the challenge. MEC Miga made the call during her recent visit to one of the blocked housing projects in Kanana Township outside Orkney in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipality.
In the past three years the Department of Human Settlements experienced a number of developers abandoning sight due to Covid 19 pandemic and other internal administrative challenges. The said challenge left many projects incomplete, therefore leaving beneficiaries, especially elderly people vulnerable. In most projects, structures were left incomplete while in others only foundations were constructed.
According to MEC Miga, the situation needs urgent attention as it is the responsibility of her department to build houses for legible beneficiaries. She urged officials within the department to work round the clock to ensure that such projects are completed as soon as possible. She further called on contractors to also work with the necessary speed to make sure that beneficiaries receive houses that are of good quality.
“It is my department’s responsibility to ensure that legible beneficiaries receive houses with basic amenities. The department and contractors must work closely with municipalities and local councillors to make sure that such challenges are easily avoided and deliver on our mandate. We must also prioritise the elderly, Women and other vulnerable groups as we continue to correct the mistakes of the past,” said MEC Miga.
MEC Miga visited, Mme Maria Tats, one of the beneficiaries who was left stranded and still stay in her shack for many years. She stays alone and from time to time community care givers visits her to assist with house duties as well as making sure that she takes her medication properly. Mme Tats as very delighted to have one of the seniors within the government visit her and gave her hope.
“I’m very happy to receive news that my house will be completed soon. It has been almost three years since this structure has been standing incomplete. The MEC’s visit gave me hope and I believe and trust that soon I will be moving into my house. I thank her (MEC Miga) for her generous gesture and making sure that my hopes and dreams become true,” said Mme Tats.
The department has already conducted an audit of blocked projects across the province, and an undertaking has already being done to start unblocking most, over the next few years.
Source: Government of South Africa