Project 2 soon 'unblocked' for new housing
2005-10-27
Susan Botha
IF everything goes according to plan, work on the long delayed housing development, Project 2 in Mbekweni, will start up again in November. It is hoped that the 835 houses will be completed by the end of next year.
The project stopped in 1996 after a squabble between beneficiaries
about the size of the houses.
Since then numerous attempts to relaunch it, have failed.
Councillor Arthob Petersen and his team of officials had to start from scratch to obtain more funds to build topstructures and repair services that have been vandalised since 1996.
Recently the provincial housing board approved the scheme, with some provisions.
The first one was that the houses should be built according to the Peoples Housing Process (PHP).
This means that it would not be a full-fledged contract, but that the beneficiaries will participate in the building process.
Secondly, province has dedicated two Cuban specialists to the project. One is an architect who will help with the design of the houses and give advice on the construction process.
The other one is an engineer who will assist in upgrading of the damaged infrastructure, as well as with the building process.
Tenders will be called for in the near future for small and medium contractors to be involved in the building of 41 showhouses.
These houses, who will belong to some of the beneficiaries, will showcase different styles and materials from which beneficiaries may choose.
One of the more promising concepts is a house built from local stone.
Cllr Petersen says all the facilitation for the PHP is already completed.
One of the stakeholders in the new project is the Omsovumbo Youth Project, which will be involved in training at least 150 local youths in skills such as building, joinery and plumbing.
The youths will receive certificates from the Department of Labour at the end of their training.
Another stakeholder in the process is Echo City, a national NGO which will contribute expertise and skills.
“It was a painful process to unblock Project 2,” says Petersen.
“The fact that it is underway again, is indeed a singular achievement for the local authority as well as the beneficiaries.”
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