GOVERNMENT HAS announced its decision to explore the possibility of selling the Saglemi Housing Project, covering the 1,506 housing units, at the current value, to a private sector entity to complete and sell at no further cost to the state.
Proceeds from the sale will come to the state and reinvested into government’s affordable housing programme.
Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, who disclosed this a meet-the-press series yesterday in Accra, said to facilitate the processes, a Technical Working Team, made up of professionals and experts, has been set-up to oversee and spearhead all engagements required for the completion of the project.
This, he noted, was being done with the aim of ensuring transparency and accountability, while guaranteeing value for money in the completion of the project.
The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project which was initiated in 2012 for the delivery of 5,000 housing units at a total cost of US$200,000,000.00 under an Engineering-Procurement-Contracting (EPC) Agreement with Messrs Construtora OAS Ghana Limited saw its original contract amended three times, effectively reducing the project scope to 1,506 housing units, despite $195,854,969.52, representing 98% of the project funds having been expended.
That notwithstanding, he said none of the 1,506 housing units were habitable, as the project was at various stages of completion and lacking basic amenities, such as water, electricity, and other related amenities.
Meanwhile, a technical assessment report by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors in September, 2020, valued the total cost of works on site at US$64,982,900.74.
As part of government’s commitment to forestall further deterioration of the project, Asenso-Boakye said his outfit has been engaging Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice on the best viable options to complete the project.
Following a comprehensive assessment of the project, the sector minister disclosed that government will have to allocate additional financing of approximately US$46 million to provide off-site infrastructure such as water, electricity, and storm drain, in order to make the housing units habitable.
“Additionally, there is the need to invest approximately US$68 million to complete the buildings, and other essential on-site infrastructure works,” he added.
Owing to the huge discrepancies with the funds expended on the project, Asenso-Boakye disclosed government’s intent not to further sink tax-payers money towards the completion of the project.
While reiterating the sector ministry’s commitment to ensuring a robust and sustainable development of public works and housing infrastructure, the minister called for greater regard for rules and regulations governing the country’s settlement planning, and development control, while admonishing citizens to be more intentional in managing household solid waste.
Commenting on the review of the Rent ACT, 1963 (ACT 220) and the Rent Control Law, 1986 (P.N.D.C.L 138), Asenso-Boakye said Cabinet, after extensive engagements on the draft Rent Bill, 2022, at its last meeting on October 27, 2022, gave approval for the draft Rent Bill, 2022 and recommended same for the consideration of Parliament.
He said Parliament will soon commence its engagements on the bill towards its enactment.
BY Ebenezer Amponsah