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Presidential Palace to cost 41 million
dollars
Accra, March 21, GNA - The Presidential Palace under
construction at the Flag Staff House in Accra is estimated
to cost about 41 million dollars instead of the original 30
million dollars.
The additional 11 million dollars is the result of a
rehabilitation project for warrant officers currently
resident at the site and a new sewage system needed at the
site.
The extra cost is also due to the rehabilitation of the Old
Nkrumah House, which was also not originally part of the
project.
This came to light when Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of
Finance and Economic Planning, some Members of Parliament
and Finance Committee in Parliament visited the site to see
progress of work.
The Project under the supervision of Shapoorji Pallonji and
Co. Limited of India, is about 55 per cent complete,
according to Mr S.K. Singh, Assistant General Manager of the
Project. It is expected to be completed in December 2007.
The building has two phases, the Presidential Offices, which
would house the Offices of the President and Vice President,
conference halls, banquet halls, waiting rooms, offices and
the Presidential Villa, which would be the home of the
president.
The offices in the building can house about 200 workers. It
also has a spacious car park.
Mr Baah-Wiredu expressed satisfaction about progress of work
and noted that it was about time that Ghana had her own
presidential palace like other countries.
He said such an edifice could also attract a lot of tourists
that could earn Ghana a lot of respect from foreign
countries.
Mr Kofi Frimpong, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East,
noted that it was in the national interest that Ghana built
her own presidential palace.
He said the project sought to maintain the residence of the
first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Member of Parliament for Asokwa,
expressed happiness about the quality of work.
He noted that it was sad to wait till this time to construct
a presidential palace but said it was better late than
never.
Mr Jumah said he will agree to the additional funds being
spent on the project.
Mr Kojo Opare Hammond, Member of Parliament for Adenta,
reiterated the need for parliament to approve additional
money needed for the project.
He said the Presidential Palace would not be of benefit to
the current president but to other presidents and the nation
as a whole.
GNA
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