Gov’t blows Ghc1.4m on one administration block

MINISTER FOR Local Government and Rural Development, Julius Debrah has stated that government has awarded contract of at least GH¢1.4m each for the construction of administration blocks for some of the newly created district assemblies.

Mr. Debrah could, however, not provide the maximum cost so far awarded to contractors to construct administration blocks for about 18 of the assemblies out of the 46 newly created ones.

Responding to a number of questions on the floor of Parliament yesterday, the Minister said his ministry also purchased vehicles for official use by District Chief Executives of the 46 newly created districts at a cost of GH¢86,330.46 each.

The 46 district assemblies were created in 2012 with a promise of one million Ghana cedis seed capital for the establishment of each of the assemblies.

The assemblies were to construct administration blocks and purchase other equipment from the seed capital for smooth running of the assemblies.

But, Mr. Debrah said after government made a pledge of one million Ghana cedis seed money for the establishment of each of the assemblies, “an initial amount of GH¢100,000.00 was released to purchase equipment and furniture for the start-up of each of the new assemblies.”

He said the remaining balance is being used to construct administration blocks for each of the assemblies.

When pressed further to state how and where government would get additional funds to top up the initial one million, Mr. Debrah said at the time of committing the one million Ghana cedis, their intention was to start with the projects and as time goes on, they will look for additional money for other things.

He further noted that the statement made that the said amount had been set aside did not mean the money was readily available for the districts to start working with.

The minister also explained that processes were in place to award contracts for construction of the remaining administration blocks.

Answering a question on when the Chereponi District Assembly will get a permanent administration block, the Minister said his ministry commenced the procurement processes for the construction of some office buildings for the 46 assemblies which were created in 2012.

He added that “efforts are being made to consider other districts which lack permanent administration blocks including Chereponi district assembly.