The government has set a deadline of May, 30, 2010 as the date of phasing-out grass thatched houses and having all people move into community settlements commonly known as (Imidugudu) for purposes of better land management.

The government introduced the national human settlement policy in December 1996. The aim of the policy is to solve the problem of land scarcity.

It targets the establishment of specific residential areas in each village in efforts to enhance proper land utilisation and the provision of basic services.

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Eugene Barikana, confirmed that the Cabinet had set the deadline.

"The Ministry is preparing the budget for the programme and we believe that this will come through as planned if we get the required finances,” Barikana said.

In a communiqué issued to local leaders, the ministry urged them to sensitise the people about the programme and to make sure that the deadline is met.

Ends