BUDGET: Affordable housing project on course

Accra, Nov. 15, GNA - The Ministry of Water Resource, Works and Housing is committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of 73 per cent of water coverage by 2015, and the Ghana Growth and Poverty-Reduction Strategy objective of 85 per cent coverage by 2015.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning, in his budget presentation said the target to deliver 100,000 housing units in all the regional capitals and some district capitals within a period of five years was on course.

He said the final draft of the National Housing Policy was completed and submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval and the concerns raised by Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure were being addressed.

The Minister said in line with the policy to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for all people in Ghana, the Ministry continued with the construction of 1,500 flats each at Borteyman and Kpone; 1,192 flats at Asokore-Mampong; 200 flats at Tamale and 400 flats at Koforidua.

"The Ministry has also commenced the construction of 150 flats each at Wa and Bolgatanga. The housing units are at various stages of completion.

Mr Baah-Wiredu announced that the construction of the Affordable Housing Units would commence in Sekondi-Takoradi, Sunyani, Cape Coast and Ho early next year.

He said the Ministry continued the sale of Government Low Cost Houses throughout the country with the view to using the revenue accrued to increase the stock of decent, safe and affordable houses for workers. He said so far about 5,000 units had been offered for sale. The Minister said the Ministry was working on the restoration of the Peduase Lodge and the main structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, air-condition works were completed.

"Work on special furnishings, fixtures, fittings and draperies as well as painting are ongoing. External civil works, telephone system, horticultural, lighting and security as well as auxiliary works are also ongoing," he said. On the Keta Sea Defence Resettlement Programme, he said the 84.0 million dollars project comprising six groynes; a 783-metre revetment; 8.5 kilometre main link and cross roads between Havedzi and Keta; 272 hectares of land reclaimed and a 20 bay flood control structure had been completed and were functional.

He said the construction of 836 resettlement houses for displaced inhabitants was ongoing. Since its implementation, 254 houses out of the contracted 444 had been completed and occupied with the remaining 190 houses at various stages of completion.

He said water supply had been extended to the resettlement sites at Kedzi, Vodza and Adzido and work on the sewerage system was also progressing steadily with about 50 houses, which had been connected at Adzido. The Minister said transmission of electricity to the site was also completed. More YOAP/GA