Military veterans in the North West will be given an opportunity to venture into construction industry. The decision was adopted during the Quarterly Project Steering Committee on Military Veterans Housing Projects meeting held in Klerksdorp in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. The opportunity will be granted to those veterans who are interested in the industry and training will be provided to speed up the construction of Military Veterans houses within the province.
The meeting involved various stakeholders such as the North West Department of Human Settlements, National Department of Human Settlements, Department of Military Veterans (DMV), Housing Development Agency (HDA), the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and City of Matlosana Local Municipality. This involvement sought to address challenges that resulted in negative impact over the achievement of completion of houses for Military Veterans.
According to the Deputy Director responsible for Military Veterans Housing Programme, Orapeleng Tabile there are Military Veterans who have shown interest in the construction of the houses and as a result the NHBRC as the quality assurer that aims at providing construction skills, has offered “On Site Training” in respect of brick laying, painting roofing and plumbing to name just a few. This would help speed up the process of building, furthermore the skills acquired during training would benefit them further to work in the construction industry.
Tabile said both the Executive Authority, MEC Gaoage Oageng Molapisi and the Head of Department, Kgomotso Mahlobo have given them direct marching orders to change the situation for the better in making sure that the housing projects are delivered. The committee discussed key areas to be addressed and to ensure a successful change, these include financial constraints, untraceable beneficiaries, unqualified contractors, blocked housing projects and backlogs.
“This is a worrying factor and it needs us to up our game in making sure that we meet the target of 83 houses to be constructed in the new financial year without fail. The recent appointment of contractors in Matlosana and Mamusa Local Municipalities is a sign that we are going to start the new financial year with a more determination,” said Tabile.
Moreover, Tabile said the department will continue to engage all various levels of government on policy imperatives especially when it comes to the improved norms and standards that give a picture of the house that should be built for Military Veterans. On the same breath, Tabile indicated that the rural nature of the province has an impact in dealing with those particular matters.
Addressing the challenges faced by the department, Jackie Mamabolo, from National Department of Human Settlements advised the regional coordinators to ensure continuous projects site visits and also to conduct consumer education programs for the Military Veterans in order to capacitate them about the programme to ensure that they understand everything related to housing as well as the prioritising training offered by NHBRC. Mamabolo further urged the regional coordinators to include site visits to their plans.
“This site visits will help track the progress of made by contractors, meet with beneficiaries to discuss their challenges and ensure a better understanding amongst all stakeholders. Province and Department of Military Veterans must prioritise the concern to trace untraceable beneficiaries as this in the same way delays the programmed,” said Mamabolo.
Ends#
Issued by the Department of Human Settlements (North West)
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