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Work begins on workers housing Upper
West Region
Sombo(UW), July 18, GNA - Mr Hackmam Owusu-Agyemang,
Out-going Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing on
Wednesday cut the sod for work to begin on 1,000 affordable
housing units for workers in Wa Municipality at Sombo near
Wa in Upper West Region.
The project being financed through HIPC funds is estimated
at GH¢ 25 million (250 billion cedis) and the first phase
would cost GH¢ 4.5 million (45 billion cedis)
Mr Owusu-Agyemang said GH¢ 30 million (300 billion cedis)
had so far been spent on 4,000 flats, which had been
completed and ready for occupation under the project for
workers in the southern part of the country.
He noted that housing deficit in the country, was about
500,000 units and no country could developed without
adequate houses for its workers.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang warned that no container shops or kiosks
would be allowed in the project area of the structures,
comprising flats of four and two storey-buildings that would
be fenced to house schools, shops, markets, recreation and
health facilities.
He said Government was determined to respond to the needs of
the citizenry, hence the numerous projects being undertaken
and continued to execute in all sectors of the economy and
all parts of the country without discrimination
"demonstrating that it is a caring government."
"I want to assure you that Government is working at the
totality of its programmes and there is absolutely no
discrimination in the delivery of projects."
"The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) is not operating in
this region because its disbursement is guided by rules and
regulations but other resources, which other regions are not
benefiting are being utilised in the region, "he added.
Mr Owusu-Agyemang urged contractors on the project to work
diligently while the workers avoid pilfering of the building
materials.
Mr Ambrose Dery, Out-going Upper West Regional Minster, said
housing problem in Wa Municipality had been compounded by
the high demand for residential accommodation by students of
Wa Campus of University for Development Studies because of
non-existence of hostel facilities for them.
He said landlords had taken advantage of the situation and
ejecting tenants who were mainly workers for the students
and this had resulted in exorbitant rents in the
municipality.
Mr Dery said Government could not shoulder the housing
problem alone and called for partnership from private estate
developers, financial institutions local government
structures, chiefs and landlords to realize the objective of
the project.
GNA
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