By HELLEN TEMBO and MELBOURNE MUSHITU –

THE National Housing Authority (NHA) is rebranding and repositioning itself to provide affordable housing.
NHA executive chairperson Francis Ndilila said the housing body is rebranding to enable it provide affordable housing and commercial space despite the various economic challenges.
Dr Ndilila was speaking yesterday at a media briefing.
“NHA has rebranded and repositioned itself in order to be able to perform its functions and achieve its mandate of delivering more affordable housing and adequate housing and commercial space,” he said.
To do this, Dr Ndilila said the NHA was building its research and development units with modern technology.
The technologies are aimed at cutting costs and time, hence reducing the selling prices of housing units.
He said the data would be very crucial in informing Government on housing policy formulation and implementation.
Meanwhile, Government has called on Zambians to support local firms engaged in building materials to enable them deliver affordable materials, which would enable Zambians build houses at an affordable cost.
Justice deputy Minister Keith Mukata expressed disappointment that some Zambians opted importing materials for building houses even when the products could be found locally and at an affordable price.
“Consume your own products, support your local team and promote your team, buy Zambian and be proud that you can produce what you use,” he said.
Mr Mukata said this yesterday during the official handover of a house to the Lafarge Zambia, Hot FM Dream House challenge-competition winner, Sam Banda who walked away with a fully furnished house in Chilanga.
Mr Mukata, the Member of Parliament for Chilanga, said Government was committed to ensuring that Zambians had quality and affordable houses.
He praised Lafarge and Hot FM, for contributing to Government’s efforts of providing quality and affordable houses to Zambians.
Lafarge chief executive officer Emmanuel Rigaux said the competition was aimed at awarding and supporting customers.
Mr Rigaux said Lafarge was committed to supporting Government efforts of ensuring that all Zambians had quality and good houses.
Mr Banda, the prize-winner, was grateful to God and Lafarge for giving him the house.