o

Gauteng Premier launches Alexandra Extension 7 project

The Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa says the government commitment made for Alexandra Renewal Project that it will be completed in 7 years should remain.Premier said this on Saturday 18 February 2006 during the launch of Alexandra Extension 7 Project which also marked the handing of 2000 title deeds to beneficiaries. The Premier was accompanied by the Gauteng Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane and the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Amos Masondo.The project is comprises of 1407 houses. At least 100 of these houses will be for residents with special needs, i.e. physically challenged and elderly. Currently 84 houses are near completion. Twelve community cluster homes for abandoned children will be built as an integrated part of the community. Three hundred Community members are being trained in construction to be part of the project.Shilowa said that the people of Alexandra should enter into contract with government to prevent the mushrooming of shacks in the area to allow the availability of land. "Alexandra is a small area. We want to open up an area so that we can be able to build more houses."When people are moved from a block to a developed area, that block should remain unoccupied. That area should be leveled so that it can be available for the construction of new houses to accommodate people from another block. That is the approach we want to take so that we can be able to expedite housing delivery," said Shilowa.He said people will be accommodated in different ways; others will get RDP houses, bonded and rental accommodation. At Far East Bank Ext 9 they are looking at finalizing a place where people will be moved and Far East Bank Ext 5 they are currently building 500 houses and the ARP is looking at other areas to accommodate a number of people.He went on to say that the problem of Alexandra is not only about Housing, there is a number of youth who don't have jobs. "Before the end of March we are going to open a call centre in Wynberg. The call centre will create jobs for the youths with matric and university graduates from the area." the Premier said.During the handing over of title deeds, the premier encouraged the people to complete the C Forms. Daniel Matjekhe (59) one of the beneficiaries who stays with his children said, "I am happy because I have my own stand with a house. I have also stayed in a shack. People should be patient and follow the right way for them to get houses."There are 21 active construction sites in Alexandra where various work is being undertaken as part of the Alex Renewal Project. These are: Kwa-Bhekilanga athletic/Rugby Facility; ALTREK Sports Facility Upgrading; RCA Community Hall; Alex Stadium; No. 3 Square sports facility; Vasco da Gama Bridge; Upgrading of London/Arkwright Road; Alex Transit Facility Storage; River Bank Protection; Ext 5 and 7 Housing Project; Teachers Training and Resource Centre; Construction of Ekukhanyisweni School; Edenvale Hospital HIV Clinic; Sidewalk Upgrading; Storm Water Upgrading; Pan Africa retail/taxi facility; Implementation of Electricity Master Plan; River Park Library and Heritage Interpretation Centre.