Avenor residents unhappy with halted school project

Some residents of Avenor, a suburb of Accra, have expressed concern about the abrupt halt in the construction of a six-classroom and three kindergarten blocks that was meant to give them access to quality education.

A random sampling of views by the Ghana News Agency in the community on the abrogated contract gathered that, the project was awarded to Pakons Construction Company Limited of Tema for the construction of the classrooms and the kindergartens at the estimated cost of GH?100,000.

It was to be financed by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and to be completed in 12 months, which was progressing in earnest till they were unexpectedly halted in 2007.

When the GNA contacted the Assemblyman for the area, Mr Mamood Haruna, he explained that the abandoned projects although happened during the term of the former Assemblyman, he was making all efforts to bring them back to save the children from walking distances to attend classes at Alajo, Adabraka and New-Town.

He said the contract was awarded by Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) to Pakons Construction on March 30, 2007 and up till now the whereabouts of the contractor is not known, and the rest of the land is lying idle with squatters occupying some portions.

Mr Haruna gave the assurance that he would fight and bring the project back, but warned that the government would not tolerate indiscipline in the area as it would slow down developmental projects and asked the people to report any trouble makers to the Police.

He also appealed to the people to maintain the unity and peace that prevail at Avenor and help change the perception some people have about the area, and also to provide an opportunity for investors to do businesses.

The Assemblyman appealed to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to put up one of the millennium schools on the proposed school site at Avenor, to give the place a facelift.

Nii Tetteh Azao II, a Regent of Avenor, in another interview, also urged the people to ensure that the spirit of togetherness exists among them at all times.

He appealed to the AMA to bring the school back to the community and urged the people to preach peace since that was the only tool to make any positive impact on their lives.