Govt to construct houses for the aged in society

Ronald Chitotela

The Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development has embarked on a project to build houses for the aged in society.

Minister of housing and infrastructure development Ronald Chitotela says his ministry will start 10 houses in priority areas in the country.

He says his ministry has engaged the ministry of community development and social welfare to advice on the 10 priority areas where houses for the aged are urgently needed.

Mr Chitotela says once the ministry of community development and social welfare has advised, his ministry will then engage the office of the commissioner of land to help identity land in the targeted districts.

He states that his ministry is also engaging the private sector so that they partner with government in this noble cause, adding that so the response from the private sector is very encouraging.

Mr Chitotela explains that the aim of the project is for government to put acceptable accommodation for the aged in society and in accordance with the guidelines set by the ministry of community development and social welfare.

He further states that the houses to be constructed will be designed in such a way that they meet the acceptable standards prescribed by the ministry of community development and social welfare.

The Minister says the project is part of government’s long term agenda of providing social houses for the people of Zambia.

And Mr Chitotela says in an effort to provide decent and affordable housing in the country; his ministry has started a project in partnership with the University of Zambia,the Technology Development and Advisory Unit (TDAU) and the National Council for Construction to empower people to make blocks for housing using local materials.

He says his ministry has so far trained the Chadiza Housing Cooperative in Eastern province I making of soil stabilized inter-locking blocks.