Samuel Atta Akyea, the former Works and Housing Minister, has said the Saglemi Housing Project is an embarrassment to Ghana.
According to Atta Akyea, Ghana secured a US$200 million loan to construct 5,000 housing units but has now turned into a white elephant.
He further disclosed that he expected President Mahama to fix Saglemi in his second term.
Speaking on Raw with Roselyn, Samuel Atta Akyea stated, “It is an embarrassment to this great nation of ours. We got a loan of US$200 million to construct 5,000 housing units, and now it’s a white elephant. Some people have invaded the space, taken away some infrastructure and messed up the place”.
“So I thought that when we couldn’t complete Saglemi, which was also an NDC project, that should have been the priority of the second-term King and President Mahama.
“I thought he would say that this project has become a mess, and now that God has given me a second chance, I will go and fix it.
“They are still playing with it and talking about a foreign investor coming to continue from where they left off — a lot of circular arguments that I don’t understand.
“If you get an investor in, what is it going to be like? Then it ceases to be affordable housing because they are profit-oriented. People can’t afford it, and that’s going to be a reversal of our fortunes,” he said.
The Saglemi Housing Project which was initiated under the NDC government in 2012 with a $200 million loan, and was designed to deliver 5,000 residential units to help bridge the country’s housing deficit.
The project stalled due to funding irregularities, contractual controversies, and legal disputes, leaving about 1,506 units partially completed and deteriorating.
According to reports, the Saglemi Housing Project was originally planned to deliver 5000 affordable housing units at US$200 million.
However, with about US$195.85 million, representing 98% of the project funds, spent on the project as it currently stands at the site today.
Technical assessment by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors valued the work on the ground at only US$64.98 million, although almost US$196 million had been spent.
Despite the US$196 million already spent, the site has no functional sewerage system, no storm drainage and other critical infrastructure, making the houses effectively uninhabitable. It is estimated that a further sum of US$114 million will be required to complete the project.
In recent times, the Ministry of Works and Housing has assured that plans are well advanced for the completion of the Saglemi Housing Project.
Speaking during a visit by the Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, to the Ministry on, February 5, the Sector Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei stated, “There has been an issue of a housing deficit of about 1.83 million units, and some of the initiatives we are pursuing to bridge the gap include completing affordable housing projects,” he said.
“So far, 800 units of the affordable housing project are being developed progressively by TDC, and we have advanced arrangements in place to complete the Saglemi Housing Project with a selected developer.
“Very soon, we will sign the agreement. The matter is currently at the AG’s Department for finalisation. Once that is done, we will sign and see the contractor on site,” he added.
@ghnow_ From warm smiles to cheerful moments, here’s a compilation of some of the best smiling moments of the Minister for Food and Agriculture at the ongoing GAFET launch. 🌾🇬🇭 #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – 😈🚀Music Beastz🚀😈
@ghnow_ The launch of the Agricultural Education Transformation Fund (AETF) is currently underway at The Palms by Eagles in Accra. #GHnow #fyp ♬ Biggest Nathaniel – N.E records & lasmid
