Town and City Councils will soon provide essential services to informal settlements close to them.

Local Government Minister Parveen Bala says Councils should be prepared for this.

Bala says after the formal subdivision, there are a number of informal settlements that will now fall within the municipal boundary and qualify for council services.

“The Upgrading programme will include proper roads, electricity reticulation, water sewerage and drainage, I must say that there has been an abundance of goodwill which our landowners have demonstrated and have entered into a partnership for a formal subdivision which will result in a win-win situation.
Bala says civil works have commenced in some of the settlements and for other settlements, works have been awarded to consultants to carry out the engineering plans.”

He adds this is apart from Nabouwalu, Seaqaqa and Korovou where work is still ongoing to develop these areas into townships.