Affordable Housing Projects on course

Kpone, Feb. 29, GNA - Despite financial constraints to fund the Ghana Government Affordable Housing Project, construction at the project sites at Kpone, near Tema and Borteiman in Accra are ongoing. This was observed during a tour by Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, officials of the Ministry and newsmen on Thursday to verify reports that contractors had abandoned the sites.

At Borteiman, Mr Ernest Banin, site Project Consultant told newsmen that stealing of building materials and poor security at the area was affecting work at the site.

Alhaji Boniface expressed satisfaction at the quality of work and urged the contractors to continue to work hard as the Ministry worked to source additional funding to ensure that the project was completed before President John Agyekum Kufuor leaves office.

He said although their visit was unannounced, meeting contractors at work was convincing and that reports that project sites have been abandoned were untrue.

He said the project which had so far cost 400 million Ghana cedis in all five project sites would provide over 5,000 apartments for low income earners in the public service.

The Minister said housing was a key economic indicator and providing accommodation to public sector workers could help ensure improved efficiency and support in efforts to attain a middle income status.

He warned contractors who were not on site to go back since their corporate image were at stake and the Ministry would hold their guarantors accountable if they abandoned the project. On Water, the Minister who also visited the Kpong Water Works said the Ministry would soon evaluate the work of Aqua Vitens Rands Limited, operators of Ghana Water Company Limited to find out whether they have provided the needed service delivery.

He also announced that Kasoa would soon be cut off from the Weija Dam to source theirs from Kwanyako in the Central Region so that their supply would be redirected to Accra.

Alhaji Boniface also said government was also considering adopting rain water harvesting system for domestic consumption. 29 Feb. 08