. Kampyongo

By STELLA SIMUTOWE –
Government has offered for sale more than 100 National Housing Authority (NHA) units in Lusaka’s Nyumba yanga area to the sitting tenants.
Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo said the decision was arrived at after discussions between the Government and NHA in response to petitions made by the tenants, who included current and former employees of the institution.
“We have heard your cry and agreed to offer the houses to you on condition that they are paid for at commercial value.
“This will be done so that we consider other groups that will benefit from other projects from the National Housing Board,” he said.
Mr Kampyongo, who made the announcement when he addressed the tenants in Nyumba yanga yesterday, said the occupants should collaborate with the institution in determining the value of the houses.
He said the beneficiaries who could not meet the conditions of payment had an option to either remain tenants of the authority or engage financial institutions for help.
Paul Chilemu, a representative of the tenants, praised the Government for the gesture.
He said the houses had been occupied for a considerable period of time warranting the purchases.
Meanwhile, Mr Kampyongo yesterday toured selected Government commercial buildings in Lusaka’s central business district, which he said required refurbishment to bring them to modern standards.
The structures included FINDECO, INDECO, ZIMCO and Kulima Tower buildings which he said needed to be modernised for the safety of tenants.
“In order to satisfy the people who are renting these buildings from Government, NHA must handle the challenges brought out immediately,” Mr Kampyongo said.
The minister also directed the Lusaka City Council to address impediments to the city’s beauty such as the overgrown trees on Cairo Road.