The Minister for Works and Housing, has disclosed that a private sector developer has assumed control over government’s Saglemi housing project started by the John Mahama administration.
Francis Asenso-Boakye, did not name the developer and the terms and conditions of the engagement, but said that the developer will be in charge of selling the 5000 housing units when completed.
It is not clear, what caused the change in plans for the project as the Akufo-Addo administration had at one time, wanted to give it to Ghana Armed Forces to be used as housing units for soldiers citing congestion and poor accommodation at Burma Camp and Teshie military barracks.
The houses, were between 85 to 90 percent complete with good roads, water and electricity when the Akufo-Addo government took out reins of the country in 2017 from the Mahama administration and halted construction works citing financial irregularities and corruption among others.
Former Water Resources, Works, and Housing Ministers, Alhaji Collins Dauda, and Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah and others, have since been put on criminal trial by the Akufo-Addo government.
The five accused persons are collectively facing 52 counts of criminal offences, including willfully causing financial loss to the State, and intentionally misapplying public property.
The 200 million-dollar case involves the two former Mahama appointees, together with a former Chief Director of the Water Resources, Works and Housing Ministry, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, Andrew Clocanas, and Majority Shareholder of Ridge Management Solutions DWC-LLC, Nouvi Tetteh Angelo.
While investigations were ongoing, the project was left to deteriorate. Aside weeds, reptiles taking over the construction site of the Tema-Aflao Highway, thieves at various times also raided the site and stole most of the fittings.
But speaking at a press conference in Accra on Sunday, November 13, 2022, Mr. Asenso-Boakye said, the government could no longer make investments in the project as it was handicapped.
He said, “Government doesn’t intend to expend more on the completion of the project. Government has decided to sell the project.”
“We’re allowing for a private sector developer to take up the initiative to build and sell the housing units,” he stated.
The Housing Minister noted that a committee will be commissioned to guide the process and ensure transparency in the bidding process.
According to the Housing Minister, the 1500 units built under NDC were inhabitable and an amount of about US$46 million is needed to provide water, electricity and storm drains.
