Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has announced that work will resume on the stalled Saglemi Housing project in November this year.
Initiated under the erstwhile NDC administration, the $20 million project came to a standstill after a value-for-money audit revealed that only 1,506 units were completed instead of a total of 5,000.
However, following the cabinet’s new directives, the minister revealed that negotiations are underway with two shortlisted firms to aid the government’s public-private partnership which will pave the way for work to resume in November.
“Negotiations are currently ongoing and we expect that in early November, work would resume after the new developer is signed up to go to the site,” he said.
He made these comments at the Meet-the-Press series in Accra yesterday.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah pointed out that the new arrangements do not mean the housing project is being sold.
“We reiterate that we are not selling these projects. We are working in the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) framework to complete these projects.
“The fact that the Government of Ghana does not have money in the treasury to advance to us to complete them does not mean these projects should remain stalled,” he said.
Mr. Nkrumah explained that the projects would deteriorate if no steps were taken to complete them, noting that the state had invested so much money into it.
To salvage the situation, he added that the ministry resorted to a public-private partnership which is expected to pave the way for its continuation.
The minister emphasised the importance of collaboration with the private sector to secure funding for projects, rather than relying solely on government financing, which may be delayed.
According to him, by partnering with private entities, the country can tap into alternative funding sources and expedite project completion, preventing further deterioration.
The minister explained that private sector funding would be repaid through a revenue-sharing model, once the projects are completed and operational, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership.
A Daily Guide Report