Ondjiva - The deputy minister of Urbanisation and Housing, Joaquim Silvestre, Tuesday here defended the need for more speed in the clearing areas identified as land reserves from landmines, under the implementation of the National Housing Foment Programme in the southern Cunene province, ANGOP has learnt.

Speaking to ANGOP at the end of a work visit to the province, the source said that so far a certain progress is noticeable, but there is also the need for a greater dynamic and speed in demining works, since it is an essential factor to move to other stages.

Joaquim Silvestre stressed that efforts are been recorded at the Ekunha land reserve, surroundings of Ondjiva city, where sapper have already demined 650 hectares of land, out of the 2,000 covering the area.

In Ondjiva, that official assessed the works being carried out at the Ekunha land reserve and met with members of the provincial commission and the technical group of the National Housing Foment Programme in Cunene.

The aforesaid housing programme foresees the construction of one million residences, from 35,800 are set for Cunene province during a period ranging from 2009 to 2012.