President of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA), Samuel Amegayibor has described the current state of the Saglemi Housing Project as a failure.
Mr. Amegayibor was of the view that, the project has been stalled because of government’s failure to plan properly. He also averred that there has been lack of collaboration between technocrats and the politicians involved.
“We have failed to plan and so, it has resulted in this mess. It is also sad that sometimes our politicians also don’t listen. They go on to do things without consultation or giving the opportunity to technocrats;to run the affairs of some of these projects.”
Samuel Amegayibor
His comments come on the back of the recent controversy on if the Saglemi Housing Project under the affordable housing project will ever be occupied by citizens.
Mr. Amegayibor stated that the project seems to lack some qualities and has resulted in its current state. He explained that several monetary and social factors must be considered before undertaking such housing projects.
“When we have a project of this nature, several factors come to play; what is the cost involved; how is the project going to be consumed by the populace? And then, we must ensure that funding is given out in such a way that the project is not hindered by cash flow.”
Samuel Amegayibor
He also lamented on the fact that nothing has been done on the housing project;and yet still, new projects are coming up.
“Now even stakeholders have come out with the national housing policy to guide us with the project. But we just don’t seem to care and we are repeating the same mistakes.”
Samuel Amegayibor
Allow technocrats to run affairs
The Association’s President suggested that technocrats should be allowed to run affairs of these kind of projects. He further urged government to make available cost structure and provide construction necessities,;such as basic infrastructure, and also consider the proximity of such projects.
“Government should have a program to ensure that in its infrastructural development,;there are budget allocations to ensure that these things are done. Locations maybe as approximate as possible to open areas to ensure that we spread these houses everywhere;and it will be part of the reasons why we will cost our houses cheaper.”
Samuel Amegayibor
Mr. Amegayibor also indicated that the site for the Saglemi Housing Project was inappropriate. He said if such a project is being put at such a far place accessibility also has to be made easier.
“In places in America, people use all means of transportation like trains to work for over an hour journey and they are comfortable. So, if we will also want to do same, we have to make sure there are three to four access roads.”
Samuel Amegayibor
Economic activities needed to bring in residents
He further added that for such a huge number of people to have been anticipated to live in these houses, economic activities should also have to take place to enable people live in the houses.
“As I said, it’s just poor planning that has resulted in this matter. So, we just have to make certain considerations to avoid these future mistakes.”
Samuel Amegayibor
He suggested that the best arrangement to help solve these issues is for the housing Minister to come out with a policy that all such projects are handed over to technocrats and policy works and implementation be handed over to politicians.
“Government should be concerned with just the facilitation process and leave the rest of the job to the private sector.”
Samuel Amegayibor
