An advocacy group, called “Saglemi Not For Sale” has expressed commendation towards the Ministry of Works and Housing’s proposal to enlist private investors for the completion of the Saglemi Housing Project.
The Lead Convener of the group, Nana Otuo Darko, in a press statement, lauded the Minister of Works and Housing, Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah for the proposal and further urged him to take urgent measures to fastrack the process leading to the completion of the Saglemi Housing Project.
“The government of Ghana’s intention to review its incorrigible position to now partner a Private sector developer to fully complete Saglemi Housing and officially hand over to the Ghanaian populace is a very laudable and welcoming idea”.
Nana Otu Darko, Lead Convener “Saglemi Not For Sale”
Nana Otuo Darko while lauding the proposal by the ministry, however, expressed disappointment regarding the handling of the project by the current administration.
He condemned what he described as the “unproductive deferment” of the project under the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, attributing the delay to political factors.
The Lead Convener for the “Saglemi Not For Sale” pressure group also stated that the neglect of the project by the current administration over the past seven years has led to its deterioration.
Furthermore, the statement by the “Saglemi Not For Sale” group admonished the government, particularly the Ministry of Works and Housing to engage the private developer cautiously to ensure that the project’s original objective of providing affordable housing facilities for Ghanaians is not compromised.
The statement emphasized that the original loan facility of $200 million which was secured by the Mr Mahama’s administration from Suisse Credit, and approved by Ghana’s parliament, was anchored on affordability, hence the ministry must do everything possible to keep the status quo.
The group further expressed deep concerns over what it perceived as financial mismanagement and deliberate neglect of the project, potentially causing financial loss to the state.
The Lead Convener, Mr Otua Darko thus called on the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Economic and Organized Crime Units (EOCO) to take urgent steps to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the project’s deterioration.
Pokuase Housing Project
Touching on the government’s Pokuase Housing Project which was commenced under the former Works and Housing Minister, Honorable Francis Asenso Boakye’s leadership, the group accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises of completing the project within some few months after its commencement.
“Team Saglemi NOT For Sale believes that for government to now treat Saglemi Housing initiative with all seriousness is arising now because the Pokuase housing project is arguably fast becoming a ‘fiasco’’.
Nana Otu Darko, Lead Convener “Saglemi Not For Sale”
The statement thus urged the new minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoasi Ayiribi in the Eastern Region, Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to take immediate steps to ensure the completion of the Pokuase Housing Project.
In addition, the group called for the preservation of the country’s national assets by cautioning against the sale of the Saglemi housing units in foreign currencies after its completion.
Mr Otuo Darko argued that such practices could have adverse effects on the local currency and the country’s economy as well.
The statement concluded by calling on the government to adopt a long-term national agenda policy framework, aimed at ensuring the continuity of projects across successive governments.
The Lead Convener of the group, Nana Otuo Darko strongly asserted that such a framework would prevent the abandonment of legacy projects and promote responsible governance practices in the country.
He also urged the various political parties to develop the taste to complete national legacy projects as governance is continuous, describing the trend of successive governments abandoning previous administration’s projects as highly “un-Ghanaian”, which must be frowned upon.
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