CATHERINE MUMBA, Chilanga
FIRST republican President Kenneth Kaunda is pleased that Government has intensified provision of housing to citizens under the Sixth National Development Plan, through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Dr Kaunda said the statement and commitment made by Government at “Habitat III” in Quito on slum upgrading strategy development, review of water and sanitation policy, implementation of the decentralisation policy, and pursuing sustainable and inclusive urban prosperity, deserves to be lauded.
He said this yesterday in a speech read for his son, Kaweche, during Dr Kaunda’s 93rd birthday ‘KK Build’ event, where he launched the construction of a house worth K40,000 for an 80-year-old woman in Chilanga.
“The expectation is that this will increase under the recently launched Seventh National Development Plan,” Dr Kaunda said.
He said the new Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development notes that the projected housing deficit of three million units by 2030 will require delivery of at least 194,000 hectares of land for housing.
Dr Kaunda said of the total hectarage, 139,000 will be for housing and 55,600 for social, economic and physical infrastructure.
And Habitat for Humanity Zambia board chairperson Douglas Katengo said the organisation has constructed more than 4,000 houses, and more are poised to be constructed in an effort to supplement Government’s efforts in providing decent housing for its citizens.