4,700 Housing projects in danger

Credible information reaching Today indicates that poisonous reptiles and squatters, mostly wee smokers and armed robbers, have completely taken over the entire four thousand, seven hundred (4,700) nationwide Affordable Housing Unit Project, which has been abandoned by the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Today established that the Affordable Housing Scheme Project, which was initiated by former President John Agyekum Kufuor-New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to address the serious shortage of decent and affordable accommodation for middle and lower income groups is now a “white elephant,” and a clear indication of the waste of the taxpayers’ money.

The 4,700 affordable housing units are being constructed at Nungua, Borteyman and Kpone in the Greater Accra region; Asokore-Mampong in the Ashanti region; Koforidua in the Eastern region; Wa in the Upper West region, and; Tamale in the Northern region.

And although the ministry of water resources, works and housing is in serious negotiations with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for the re-construction of the abandoned affordable houses, Today can report that the intended move by the sector ministry seems to have hit a snag.

SSNIT initially funded the project but after the ministry, during the time of the Kufuor administration had run out of funds, it resorted to HIPC funds, which also ran out.

And interestingly President Mahama could not complete the housing project which was almost 85 per cent complete.

But strangely President Mahama has considered using another tax payers’ money of building different affordable housing units nationwide, thereby leaving the previous project initiated by Mr. Kufuor under the mercy of the weather.

A follow-up on United Television (UTV) news on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 corroborated information gathered from the various sites of housing units across the country indicated that the multi-billion project has become a white elephant, and a clear dissipation of national resources.

The buildings which are engulfed in bushy environ are now safe havens for reptiles and squatters.

Today further gathered that the squatters have arrogated to themselves the powers of taking charge of the abandoned housing units and that each of the 4,700 blocks has a caretaker, who takes some form of rent from residents.

They said the caretakers had allegedly sold out building materials such as sand, iron rods, roofing sheets, wood, and other valuable items meant for the project.

Residents in the neighbouring communities of where the projects are sited complained bitterly to Today that 'wee' smokers and armed robbers, had taken advantage of the vulnerability of the squatters, mainly women and children, and often harass them.

The criminals constantly subject the helpless women to rape and molestations.