The minister interracting with officials during the Saglemi visit
THE MINISTER for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has given the strongest signal yet that Government is committed to completing the abandoned controversial Saglemi 1,500-unit Affordable Housing Project.
According to the Minister, Government is leaving no stone unturned, and nothing to chance, in finding funds with which to complete the Project, and as soon as possible, make it ready for habitation by Ghanaians.
The Administration of Former President John Dramani Mahama started the 5,0- Unit Affordable Housing Project in 2012. The project, however, stalled over allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The project has since been shrouded in controversy, as the Government accuses the Mahama Administration of supervising a corrupt deal that surcharged the public purse; an allegation which appointees of the Mahama Administration continue to deny.
Prior to that, sometime in May 2019, the Attorney -General and Minister of Justice recommended to the Works and Housing Ministry to refer the project to the appropriate Authorities, for criminal investigations and prosecution to be instituted.
The original Contract, signed under the NDC Administration was, according to the AG, supposed to deliver some 5,000 affordable housing units to Ghanaians, at the cost of $200 million. The contract was, however, revised to deliver 1,502 affordable houses at the same cost of $200 million.
Following information and documents gleaned after an audit was affected on the work done by the Brazilian contractor, the issue was subsequently referred to the appropriate investigative Institutions, for criminal prosecution.
However, speaking after a tour of the Housing site in the Ningo-Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday 17th 2021, with the view to ascertaining some of the major projects under the Ministry, the newly-appointed Minister, Mr Asenso Boakye, said that his outfit was expecting a performance review of the Saglemi Housing Project, Â within two months; thus by the end of March 2020, Â for the completion of the audit.
According to him, the Ministry had taken steps to ensure an early completion of the project, Â in the interest of the citizenry.
He revealed that some potential developers who had submitted financial arrangements were being considered.
“First of all, I want to send a signal that would show that Government is committed to continuing with the Project and to its completion regardless of the challenges. I will engage the technical people and the investors who have showed interest in the project.”
He believes that although some work had been done at the site more work needed to be done before any habitation of the premises could take place.
The Minister acknowledged that the project was a great idea but had problems with its conception, design and how its implementation would roll out.
“I think some work has been done but a lot more needs to be done. We’ve invested close to $200 million into this project, and this is where we are. The project, I believe was a great idea but its conception, design and implementation did not go well at all. and that is why we find ourselves in this situation.
Like I said, I am committed to putting the past behind us and charting a new way forward; Â because with over 1,000 housing units yet to be completed, it is a big step forward tackling the housing deficit.
The Minister declined commenting on matters of the scope of work done, and for which criminal investigations were ongoing. He, however, stated that Government was going to find innovative ways to find funds for the completion of the project.
In total 636 housing units had been fully completed and could be habitable, if the necessary infrastructure and services were provided on site. The remaining 388 housing units were at various stages of completion.
At the first phase, the scope of works included the construction of 1,502 housing units, and some infrastructural and layout works. This indicated a total reduction of housing units by 3,498 from the initial contract of 5000 units.
The actual distribution of the proposed houses and apartments had always consisted of 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units; categorized as Social Housing, Affordable Housing, Mid-range Housing and Premium Housing.
From Vincent Kubi, Saglemi