Youths from Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb have implored the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to implement youth friendly policies and create housing schemes that are targeted at young people as most of them are struggling to acquire houses.
Speaking at round table meeting in Nkulumane on Friday which brought together residents, residents’ associations and the city council, one youth participant expressed concern over the inability of youths to afford their own houses because of exorbitant prices charged by the city council.
The youth urged the council to embark on quota systems or to build high rise flats which would be affordable to the young people in the city.
Youth Participant
Councillor for Ward 22, Rodney Jele said the prices charged by the council are beyond their control as they are determined by the high cost of materials needed to service the stands.
Cllr Jele said the materials they use are charged in foreign currency and due to the existing economic challenges, which include the difference between local currency and foreign currency, it is impossible for the council to sell their stands for any lesser amount.
The Councillor further stated that in the past the council has flighted tenders for high rise flats and called upon investors to build them but none have come forward.
He said it is difficult for the council to have investors because of the unfavourable business environment in the country.
