14 Oct 2015

Minister of Lands and Housing Mr Prince Maele says land is a key factor of production in any economy and the manner in which it is managed requires a high level of imaginative creativity and sensitivity.

Speaking during the ministry's press conference held in Gaborone, the minister said the land challenges that the ministry faces are many. He noted that these challenges would not be easily overcome in a short space of time, but guaranteed that the ministry shall engage other stakeholders in seeking for solutions.

He said despite the high demand for land and affordable housing in Botswana that continues to grow at unprecedented levels, the ministry's key deliverables include access to land and housing. He noted that under access to land the ministry reports a total of 9 148 plots allocated by different land authorities out of the targeted 22 000 for this financial year. 

Mr Maele said the ministry has gone further to combat corruption and facilitate transparency in land allocation, by maintaining a waiting list which can be inspected by members of the public at their convenience.

“We have so far recorded 996 303 applications, not vetted though, in the waiting list published by various land boards including the department of lands. These waiting lists will continue to be vetted up to and including the time of allocation to determine eligibility,” he said.

He noted that the ministry is aware that the figure includes land speculators who are searching for every opportunity to grab land. The minister assured to capture all the waiting list on stardust system which will filter out those with plots registered in their names and land speculators. Commenting on access to housing, Mr Maele stressed the national housing strategy adopted in 2014 of social housing programmes targeting the low income earners in the bracket of P4 400 to P52 000 per annum is ongoing.

He noted that the social housing programme includes SHHA Turnkey home loan of up to P90 000, SHAA Home improvement of up to P60 000 and installment Purchase Scheme as well as the youth housing for young people earning less than P7 000 per month.

Furthermore he noted that a total of 711 out of 909 turnkey houses have been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries, adding that 198 houses are at various stages of construction and to be completed by the end of the month.

He said a total of 1 500 turnkey houses, 787 SHAA home improvement, 729 public housing, 540 public officers  housing are to be started this month country wide and are due to be completed by march 2016. He added that construction of 500 and 250 housing units of Installment Purchase Scheme and youth housing respectively are planned to start in November.

The minister said the government has approved the Public Private Partnership strategy in land servicing and housing development, intended to accelerate the pace of providing access to serviced land and housing by  the private sector. Ends