MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Human Settlements in the North West, Nono Maloyi, recently paid a visit to the stalled housing projects in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district. During his visit, he reiterated his commitment to eliminate all blocked housing projects in the province by the end of December this year.
Eliminating Blocked Projects
MEC Maloyi expressed his resolve to remove around 76 blocked projects consisting of 8,746 houses, some of which date back 10 years. Procurement processes are already underway for projects within the 10-year timeframe, which require geotechnical and dolomitic studies.
The department has set aside a budget of R52 million for the current financial year, 2023/2024, to undertake geotechnical and dolomite studies in areas falling outside the 10-year study period. MEC Maloyi stated that his department would incorporate the number of all blocked projects into the current active units as they have been budgeted for in this financial year.
Prioritizing Eradication of Blocked Projects
MEC Maloyi and the head of the department, Kgomotso Mahlobo, pledged to prioritize the eradication of blocked projects when they assumed office. They remain optimistic about overcoming this longstanding challenge. The department is set to visit other blocked projects in different districts while introducing contractors to various municipalities that have already been appointed for different human settlement projects, including the blocked ones.
Collaborative Effort for Progress
Unblocking these long-delayed housing projects may pave the way for progress in the North West Province, fostering mutual cooperation between different levels of the government and the private sector. This collaborative effort could bring substantial benefits to the communities affected by the stalled projects, potentially providing thousands of families with much-needed homes and revitalizing neighborhoods in the process.
Stakeholders’ Role in Achieving MEC Maloyi’s Vision
As the province works towards solving this issue, various stakeholders will need to remain engaged and committed to their respective roles in unblocking these projects. Stakeholders must ensure timely procurement processes, accurate geotechnical and dolomitic studies, and efficient collaboration with appointed contractors. By doing so, they may be able to achieve MEC Maloyi’s vision of eradicating blocked projects and delivering quality housing to the people of the North West Province.
