Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has condemned the action of government in abandoning the Saglemi housing project, describing its position as misplaced priorities.
According to him, it is unacceptable for President Akufo-Addo to spend over half a billion cedis on a national cathedral project that has ultimately failed due to corruption and is now abandoned, and yet, refuses to commit funds to complete a housing project that will benefit thousands of Ghanaian families.
Mr Mahama stated that knowing the NPP government, it failed to complete the Saglemi housing project simply because it was initiated by him and an NDC administration.
“The misplaced priorities of a government that claims it is unable to raise money to complete the Saglemi housing project and yet is willing to spend half a billion cedis on the largest civil excavation in Africa is a humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians who entrusted Akufo-Addo with their mandate.”
John Dramani Mahama
Prioritize wellbeing of Ghanaians
Mr Mahama stated that leaders must always prioritize the well-being of their citizens and ensure that they benefit from government resources and projects, regardless of who initiated them.
“Just think about the countless number of Ghanaian families who could have had decent living conditions over the past 7 years and the individuals who could have had a place to truly call home in Saglemi.”
John Dramani Mahama
It will be recalled that President Akufo-Addo, speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony of the commencement of the Pokuase Housing Project, revealed that government will not be able to continue and complete the Saglemi Housing project started by the erstwhile John Mahama administration. He revealed that the government cannot make further financial commitment to the Saglemi project due to some monetary restraints.
Furthermore, the President justified government’s decision to commence a new housing project rather than continue with the Saglemi Housing project. He stated that the government would have incurred more debt in an attempt to complete the Saglemi Housing Project.
President Akufo-Addo however gave the assurance that the lessons learned from the Saglemi Housing project had been invaluable in shaping the approach and execution of the new housing initiative.
Providing explanation on the current state of the Saglemi Project, President Akufo-Addo indicated that government was aware of the delays and setbacks encountered during the execution of the Saglemi project.
Additionally, he noted that the issues about the scope of work and the money expended on the project have been taken to the criminal investigations division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation that which has resulted in criminal judicial proceedings.
Nonetheless, he explained that to forestall the project from deteriorating, the Ministry of Works and Housing has actively engaged Cabinet, the Minister of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General on the completion of the project.
On the other hand, the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) gave the approval for a transaction advisor to be procured to lead the process of identifying a suitable private sector entity with the requisite technical and financial capability to help dispose of the Saglemi Housing project.
It followed Cabinet’s directive to the Minister of Works and Housing to explore the possibility of disposing of the Saglemi Housing project. The project is to be disposed of at the current value to a private sector entity to complete and sell the housing units to the public at no further cost to the government.
As it stands, the Ministry of Works and Housing has set up a technical committee with representation from various state and independent professional institutions to oversee and be present at all engagements required for the completion of the housing project.
READ ALSO: Silence Of Finance Ministry After “Kitchen Scandal” Broke Is Most Deafening- Ablakwa
