29.2 C
Accra
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
HomeNewsGovernment committed to continuing Saglemi Housing Project- Works and Housing Minister

Government committed to continuing Saglemi Housing Project- Works and Housing Minister

Date:

spot_img

Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Assenso Boakye, has reiterated government’s resolve to complete the over 1,500 Saglemi Housing Project to address the housing deficits of the country.

The $200 million project located at Saglemi, near Tsopoli, in the Ningo-Prampram District in the Greater Accra Region was to deliver a total of 1,502 housing units in its first phase to address the housing deficits in the country.

Briefing the media after touring the project site on Wednesday, the Sector Minister said the government remains committed to continue the project despite the numerous challenges that had beleaguered it.

“The project, I believe was a great idea, but the conception, the design and the implementation did not go well and that is why we find ourselves here but, like I said, I’m committed to putting the past behind us and chatting a new way that we can complete the project.

“This is over 1,000 housing units. Currently we are saying that the housing deficit is over two million so if we are able to complete this over 1,000 housing units it’s a big step towards tackling the housing deficit and that’s why I’m committed to tackling it,” Mr Boakye said.

The tour was to enable the Minister to familiarise himself and also obtain first-hand information on projects on-going under the Ministry.

So far, a total of 1,389 housing units have been completed out of which 868 are ready for use with the remaining 386 at various levels of completion.

The Sector Minister, however, explained that the completed units were not yet ready for use due to the absence of  the necessary infrastructure and services including; electricity, water and sewage.

The 2,172 acres on which the Saglemi housing project is situated was procured in 2002 during the era of President John Agyekum Kufuor.

On August 15, 2012, late President, John Evans Atta Mills gave executive approval to the then Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to implement the project, which involved the construction of 5,000 housing units for sale to members of the public through mortgage provided by Ghana Home Loans.

The project was implemented by Constrastora OAS Ghana Limited through a buyers credit of up to $200 million.

The first phase of 1,502 housing units was to be delivered by March 31, 2016 but was extended to August 31.

The Minister therefore assured that government would look for innovative ways to raise money to fund the remaining of the project to ensure its completion.

Other sites the Minister toured were the Kpone Affordable Housing Project in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality where 1,500 housing units are expected to be constructed, the National Housing Mortgage Fund Project and the Kaizer Flats at Tema Community Four.

On the National Housing Mortgage Fund Project, the General Manager for Operations at the TDC Company Limited, Samuel Asante, said 208 housing units first phase of the project had been completed and ready for use, adding that the second phase which involved the construction of 187 units would soon commence.

Mr Asante, however, noted that the construction of the 1,500 Kpone Affordable Housing Project had note progressed as planned due to financial challenges.

“We are just about 20 per cent completion obviously because of funding breaks and also capacity issues in terms of contractors, but now that we have the right partner we will be going at a speedy rate,” he said.

At the Kaizer Flats at Tema Community Four, Mr Edward Mensah Sanjok, the Chief Engineer at TDC said five out of the 13 dilapidated structures were demolished with the remaining eight to be destroyed in the coming days to allow for reconstruction work to commence.

Mr Boakye said the government would continue to engage the residents to see how best it could assist them in relocating to pave way for the commencement of the project.

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Director at the Ministry, Dr. Theresa Tuffour.

Send your news stories to editor@max.com.gh and via WhatsApp on +233 506-367-196
Join our WhatsApp channel for the latest news and updates.

Max TV
Max TVhttps://max.com.gh
Ghana’s Leading Digital Television And Terrestrial Box In Sports, Entertainment And More.
- Sponsored -

Stay Connected

562,687FansLike
2,072FollowersFollow
433,500FollowersFollow
50,215FollowersFollow
88,733SubscribersSubscribe

Latest stories

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Stories

CAF to Hold WAFCON Qualifiers Draw on Thursday

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will host official...

KOTOKO NEWS: Club Re-Sign Kwame Opoku on 2.5-Year Deal

Asante Kotoko have announced the return of former striker...

POST ELECTION 2024: Asamoah Gyan Urges Ghanaians to Support Mahama’s Government

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has called on...

African Paralympic Committee President Extends Congratulations to John Mahama

Samson Deen, President of the African Paralympic Committee (AfPC),...

Aduana Stars Appoint Aristica Cioabă as New Head Coach for Premier League Campaign

Aduana Stars Football Club has officially unveiled Romanian coach...

Ghana FA Announces Second Transfer Window for 2024/25 Season

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially opened the...

MAX SPORTS: Best sports quotes of 2024

AFP has leafed through the archives to pick out...

Prioritize the welfare of youth – Medikal to John Mahama

Renowned rapper Medikal has called on the president-elect, John...

Watch Kenya go haywire with new Dance Challenge for Shasha Marley

Roots reggae musician Julius Amua-Sekyi, known by his stage...