First phase of Saglemi housing project ready March 2016

The first phase of the affordable Saglemi housing project, near Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, is expected to be completed in March next year.

Work on 1,502 housing units is 55 per cent complete. The entire Saglemi housing project is made up of 5,000 housing units. 

The Saglemi housing project is being undertaken by Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, a Brazilian construction firm, and funded by Emerging Markets Fixed Income Division of the Credit Suisse, London.

Drainage systems, recreational centres, commercial facilities, roads and other infrastructures will be provided as part of the project.

Alhaji Dauda inspects phase one

During an inspection of the Saglemi housing project, the Minister of  Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda, said about 140 of the 1,502 housing units had been completed.

He said the Saglemi housing project formed part of national intervention measures aimed at reducing the over 1.7 million housing unit deficit.

“The government is committed to providing affordable and safe homes for all. That has informed its decision to initiate the various affordable mass housing projects nationwide, including those at Kpong, Borteyman and several others,” he said.

He said plans were advanced to also initiate mortgage facilities to assist people interested in buying the houses.

The ministry, he said, was also developing other marketing programmes to suit all potential buyers.

That, he said, was to ensure that low and middle-income earners were able to acquire the homes, since they would be given the opportunity to pay over a long period of time.

He said the foundation for the entire 5,000 housing units had been completed ahead of the rainy season to avoid any disruption.

The minister said the $200-million Saglemi housing project had generated employment for about 1,400 Ghanaians.

Project manager’s remarks

The Project Manager of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, Mr Valdir Acatauassu, said the Saglemi housing project was being executed through the use of technology which was benefitting the Ghanaian workers by way of knowledge acquisition.

“It is anticipated that over the next six years, an additional 9,000 housing units will be built, forming part of a township,” he said.

Writer’s email Doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh