Cabinet approves pathway to complete Saglemi Project

The Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has stated that Cabinet has approved a pathway to complete the Saglemi Housing Project started by the previous administration. 

The Saglemi Housing Project commenced in 2016 but has since been abandoned due to litigation. The project, which was at various stages of completion, had had some fittings, including burglar proof material, plumbing works, metal coverings on culverts, among others, at the site either vandalised or stolen.

During a working visit to Saglemi yesterday, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said following the approval by Cabinet, the Ministry had established a technical committee to expedite action towards completing the project.

He said the technical working committee had been instructed to, within five weeks, issue an international expression of interest to attract private funds to complete and utilise the project.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the government was focused on ensuring the buildings at Saglemi were put to good use and was optimistic that based on the output of the committee, private partners would be brought on board to complete the project. 

He indicated that based on the last estimate from the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, an over $100 million would be required to complete the project.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah noted that the amount involved was huge and that within the current fiscal constraints, the Exchequer did not have that resource, hence the decision to explore other ways of funding from the private sector to partner government to ensure the completion of the project and put it to good use. 

"This project is a very large and important project and we cannot leave it to waste," he said. He was optimistic that within five weeks, the technical group would issue the international expression of interest after which the government would work with transaction advisors to select a partner or group of partners to jointly operate or dispose of the housing units.

Responding to issues of security at the site, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said some security was mounted to check theft, but unfortunately those security arrangements had gaps. He indicated that the ministry had taken steps to beef up security to ensure that there was no further deterioration of equipment at the site. 

Tour

The tour also took the minister to Kpone and Michel Camp where the TDC Development Company Limited had put up over 2,000 affordable housing units. He commended TDC for contributing towards addressing the housing deficit facing the country which stood at about 1.8 million units.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said as part of its strategy, the ministry would support master developers such as TDC to undertake bigger projects such as 5,000 to 10,000 units to fast track efforts at bridging the housing deficit gaps.

He said the ministry would continue to work with TDC to explore ways to bring down the cost of construction in order to reduce the impact on the final cost of the building. He commended TDC for its role in the housing sector and said the ministry would extend an invitation to them to participate in the National Affordable Housing Project at Pokuase based on their track record.

On the issue of cost and affordability, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the ministry would put in place a market mechanism to ensure that affordable housing truly goes to those they are meant for. 

 Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh