Two sign MoU ; For construction of 21,600 housing units
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PumpTech, a local construction firm, to start the construction of 21,600 housing units across the country.
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The project is aimed at reducing the housing deficit in the country.
Dubbed "the Tamale Social Housing Units," the project was first piloted at Lahagu in the Tamale Metropolis a year ago by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, PumpTech and other partners.
Technology/ materials
The affordable housing units will be constructed with locally made materials using appropriate technology.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, initialled for the ministry, while the Managing Director of PumpTech, Mr Oman K. Sahanoon, signed on behalf of the company.
The sector minister, Mr Julius Debrah, reiterated the commitment of government to address the challenges facing the housing sector.
He said the project which was currently being rolled out in Tamale would be replicated in other districts of the country based on the availability of land.
The project is to provide relief for people with limited ability to own houses since it is going to be based on a mortgage system.
Land
Mr Debrah said he had directed all district chief executives (DCE) to look for land in their respective districts for the projects to begin.
He observed that with the use of local materials and appropriate technology, cost would be reduced to make prices affordable.
Mr Debrah hinted of an intention to liaise with the prison authorities on the possibility of using prison inmates to further reduce the cost of labour.
He said aside using local building materials for the housing units, the project would also create jobs for the youth.
Nii Lante, in a brief remark, said apart from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) housing project, the Tamale housing project would be one of the biggest housing schemes in the country .
"We are ready to collaborate with the local construction firm to deliver the houses in rural areas", he said.
The Managing Director of PumpTech, Mr Sahanoon, reiterated that houses provided under the scheme would be affordable because of the use of local building materials.