The acting CEO of Nkurenkuru Town Council has stated that limited funds are hindering the provision of affordable housing in the town. Magana Mukuve made these remarks during a consultation meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development.

Since Nkurenkuru became a regional capital 18 years ago, the demand for serviced land has become a challenge for the local authority. Additionally, there is no money available to compensate residents who are willing to pave the way for development.

The acting CEO also mentioned the difficulties faced by low-income earners in transferring their properties due to high legal fees.

He made the following recommendations to the committee: Sufficient funds should be made available to the Council by the Central Government for servicing more land and compensating all affected people in town. The promulgation of new townships and extensions should be expedited. The Central Government should make annual budgetary provisions for compensation to affected local authorities, which should be considered in the national budget. Transfer fees should be charged according to the value of the property.

The parliamentarians have been holding consultation meetings on suitable housing options to address housing shortages and funding gaps, as well as to assess the effective implementation of decentralisation programmes in the region.

However, they were disappointed when representatives from various stakeholders, such as NHE, the Shack Dwellers Federation, and various ministries, did not attend the engagement.