This was revealed by the Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea who explained that they would rather be supplied with the raw materials needed to complete the projects.

The government arrived at this policy following what the Minister said is the misapplication of the funds by the contractors.

Mr Attah Akyea spoke to the media after meeting members of the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday.

“One way that we’ve discovered as a reason why properties those contractors are putting up delay is that the monies are not seriously applied to the task. And therefore if you are supposed to complete all the houses, we need to buy the materials…chances are that most of these contractors will use the monies for other purposes apart from what its needed for.”

“That is why we’ve taken this decision strongly, that we will not put monies in anybody’s hands, nobody is going to use government’s money to look after children schooling abroad. If its iron roads, we buy it, you cannot eat iron roads, it has to be applied to the project and if we go this way we will be able to finish all the uncompleted houses in good time. All that the contractor is entitled to is the cost of labour and their profit margin as defined by the contract,” he added.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the leadership of John Mahama initiated a 5000 housing units project to provide affordable housing for Ghanaians in a bid to reduce the country’s housing deficit of about 1.7 million.

Before the NDC government left office, they were able to complete about 1,500 housing units at Ningo Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

I’ll complete Mahama’s housing projects

Mr. Atta Akyea had earlier promised not to abandon the state housing projects started under the Mahama government.

He said he will ensure the private sector is encouraged to help government bridge the housing gap in the country.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post No more cash for housing project contractors – Atta Akyea appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta-Akyea, rejuvenating the scheme will aid in developing rural areas and ease the accommodation pressure in urban centres.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting some affordable housing units within the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday, the Minister, this plan could hinge on an improved road network and high rise buildings.

“What we are seeking to do is that for people living on the Accra-Kumasi road… you can virtually have high rise buildings in these areas. And if our trunk road is very good, it will take about an hour for someone to drive from where he is living and come to Accra and work.”

This could also make living in the rural areas more attractive, according to the Minister.

“If we make the rural place attractive, we will find people who, if we have good road networks, will live in the hinterland but come to work in the city. This arrangement we are going to do with all seriousness.”

“We are not going to say that it is only Accra, Koforidua and other [major] places who are entitled to affordable housing but it will be dotted all over the nation and it will also make the villages attractive.”

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By: Philip Nii Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Housing Ministry to boost rural housing scheme appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.