Bawumia Commissions Naval Housing Project

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia unveiling the plaque for housing unit.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has inaugurated 368 housing units at the Eastern Naval Command at Bankuman, a suburb of Tema Newtown in the Greater Accra Region, as part of the phase two of the security services housing project.

The new naval barracks, which were constructed at a cost of GH¢101.2 million, would help address the housing challenges facing the Ghana Navy.

Out of the 23 blocks, eight blocks are 3-bedroom flats and 15 are 2-bedroom flats.

It also has multi-purpose sports facility and playing ground for personnel and families.

The first phase of the security housing project involved the construction of 168 units for personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) at Community 3, Tema.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Monday, the Vice President, indicated that government is determined to provide better accommodation for personnel of the security service in the country in order for them to give off their best for the nation.

According to him, all the abandoned projects started by previous administrations would be completed to provide accommodation for officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

“Government has commenced discussions with Messres Sinohydro Corporation Limited for the construction of 40,000 houses for the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Judicial Service,” he said.

Dr Bawumia urged the personnel of the Ghana Navy to continue to work hard, adding that “you must at all times discharge your duties professionally and diligently.”

He admonished the officers who would occupy the barracks to maintain them.

The Vice President reiterated government’s commitment to Ghana Armed Forces, which has served the nation over the years, stating that government would do everything possible to make personnel of security services comfortable.

He commended Amandi Holdings Group for the efficient manner in which it constructed the barracks which started in 2014.

On his part, Freda Prempeh, Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, said the provision of accommodation for the security services in the country would be prioritized by government, adding that her ministry would expedite action on the next phase of the project to cover all personnel of the security and judicial services.

She urged the private sector to take advantage of the enabling environment that government has created to close the housing deficit in the country, which currently stands at 1.7 million.

According to her, the Ministry of Works and Housing would soon implement the national housing policy and review the rent law to bring relief to Ghanaians.

Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, was optimistic the project would go a long way to enhance the effectiveness of the Ghana Armed Forces, particularly the navy.

He stated that government is determined to complete all outstanding projects inherited by the previous Kufour administration and others to ensure the effectiveness of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The Minister also said his outfit was determined to work tirelessly to address the logistics and infrastructure challenges of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He said his ministry would protect all lands belonging to the military in the country, appealing to traditional authorities to help achieve that aim.

Rear Admiral P. Kofi Faiddo, Chief of Naval Staff, thanked government for making investment to complete the project, appealing to the government to continue to support the military to effectively discharge their duties.

 

From Vincent Kubi, Tema

 

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