K’si: Squatters renting out uncompleted affordable housing units

Some squatters, who are still occupying buildings at the Affordable Housing Project site at Ayigya in Kumasi, five months after the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Kweku Agyemang Mensah, ordered them to vacate the place to pave way for its completion, are renting the place to others.

The Ministry in November 2015 handed over the project to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), to complete it, after works at the site came to a halt in 2012.

According to Class News’ Ashanti Regional correspondent, Hafiz Tijani, who visited the project site, squatters were busily going about their normal domestic duties without any sign of vacating the place.

The project, located at Ayigya in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, will provide about 1,200 housing units for the citizenry upon completion.

The squatters took over the place after work got stalled at the site.

According to Hafiz Tijani, the site has also become a hideout for criminals, making it unsafe for commuters and motorists, who use that stretch of the road in the area.

Even though processes are underway for work to begin at the site, residents and commuters, who spoke with Class News, expressed worry over the continued stay of the squatters.

The project is expected to provide 339 one-bedroom and 736 two-bedroom houses when completed.