Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Herald Reporter
More than 22 000 stand owners are set to register for the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme in Epworth this month, with the number set to rise to 45 000 in two months.
The programme seeks to formalise the sprawling settlement. Registered stand owners can use their title deeds as collateral.
Epworth Local Board secretary, Dr Wilton Mhanda, confirmed the development, affirming that with the regularisation exercise nearing completion, over 22 000 households were eligible for registration in the Presidential Title Deeds initiative.
An additional 23 000 stand owners were set to get title deeds in two months, as soon as the Epworth Council completes all the work.
“Our regularisation exercise is almost complete, over 22 000 families will be privileged of receiving title deeds under the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds programme upon completion of roads resurfacing and land marking in some areas,” said Dr Mhanda.
“In two months, an additional 23 000 stand owners will also receive deeds under the same Presidential title deeds programme.”
Dr Mhanda acknowledged the Presidential initiative, describing the development as a major achievement for informal settlements in the country, as it will ease business for the local authority in administering such settlements and the collecting of rates and levies for improved service delivery.
He said this will help in improving infrastructural development through proper planned housing structures approved and inspected by council.
“The Presidential Title Deeds programme is a milestone in the development of infrastructure in the country, most informal settlements did not have structures approved by council and it made it difficult for council to collect rates and levies in the areas, thereby affecting service delivery,” said Dr Mhanda. It is hoped that the re-arrangement of Epworth, while empowering the house-owners with title deeds, will help eliminate some vices afflicting the area, including criminal activities.
High levels of crime were often reported in the area due to illegal settling and it had become a tough task for law enforcement agents to apprehend the perpetrators. Dr Mhanda said there was now a sigh of relief for the residents who were no longer safe because of criminality in the area.
“The high levels of criminality which had tormented Epworth will decrease because law enforcement agents will be able to identify people who will be accommodating these criminals after registration of the households, thereby making it easy for the police to trace the criminals,” he said.
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