C'ittee tasks Land Evaluation Board to assess state houses

Accra, March 14, GNA - The committee set up by the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to look into the rent values of government houses has tasked the Land Evaluation Board (LEB) to carry out a nationwide assessment of the houses.

The nationwide assessment of government bungalows, flats and other such structures is to enable the committee to come out with a realistic rate to be paid by occupants of such houses.

Alhaji Rex Sumani, Chairman of the Rent Review Committee, who spoke to the GNA on Wednesday said the Ministry of Finance an Economic Planning had directed the Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD) to make a provisional deduction of 10 per cent from the salaries of all occupants of such houses pending the result of the LEB. He said the decision was to halt the tension being created about the payment of 16 per cent proposed by the committee. Alhaji Sumani categorized state houses as furnished, unfurnished and flats with each attracting 18 per cent, 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

He noted that with the introduction of the Ghana Universal Salary Structure, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning gave a directive to the CAGD to make deductions in figures instead of percentage of the salary. Alhaji Sumani, who is also the Director In-Charge of General Administration at the Ministry, stated the 2007 Budget, which directed the deduction of the provisional 10 per cent, also allowed for the creation of the new Rent Review Committee. He said the committee set up last January settled for the LEB to conduct assessment to aid government in ensuring a satisfactory solution for both the Government and the public sector workers. 14 March 07