By Obakeng Maje
Taung-The Housing project that started more than seven years ago in Taung is yet to be completed as there are some abandoned unfinished houses in the area.

Taung Extension 6 housing project was piloted many years ago and most houses have people abode in.

However all is not well as there are more than 15 empty houses that are now dilapidating.

The project was allegedly abeyance because of internal issues.

North West Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liason spokesperson Ben Bole said they are planning to complete the process before the end of March 2014.

“We have done physical assessments of the said project, financial reconciliation and quantification of the project. We are currently busy with the supply chain processes to procure a contractor that will complete the project” said Bole.

Most of the residents are living in abject poverty in the area and said the abandoned house invite vagrants in the area where they conduct their criminal activities.

“We anticipate to finalize the whole process by end March 2014 so that the contractor can start in the new financial year” outlines Bole.
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The North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi expressed his satisfaction about the quality of houses that are given to the beneficiaries in other parts of North West.

Maloyi said this during the handing over of more than 700 houses in Jouberton, ext 20 where two blind beneficiaries became proud owners of dignified homes.

According to Maloyi, housing is one of the major challenges facing the government. However, he said that government has to ensure that houses handed over to beneficiaries are of great quality, despite the pressure caused by the ever increasing backlog country wide.

He said that government’s main objective is to build quality and dignified homes for generations to come.

Taung has experienced many various crimes and residents said abandoned houses like this can only spell danger as they are used as ajourns by criminals.