He has subsequently, directed all Regional Coordinating Councils to collaborate with chiefs to identify lands for government to liaise with private developers to build affordable housing to address the shortfall.

He said government was committed to partnering the private sector to build affordable housing for workers for secured pensions plan but needed litigation free lands to make the vision a reality.

[contextly_sidebar id=”kdIrdTsCmYP1itHqkbDdYwISy87RRXFn”]Mr Atta Akyea said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Central Regional Minister as part of a working tour to the Elmina Emergency Sea defence project site on Tuesday.

The Minister was accompanied by his two Deputies, Freda Prempeh and Eugene Antwi together with the directors of works, Finance and Audit of the Ministry.

“Available housing data at the ministry shows a housing deficit of 1.7 million. We have to take quality steps to close that, the region must make lands available to help us put up houses for the people,” The Minister said.

“We have to find innovative ways of trying to secure infrastructure and as a Ministry, we are determined to wipe out this housing deficit” he added.

He also visited the dilapidated Cape Coast Ministries block which housed workers of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the region to have first-hand assessment following concerns raised by the Regional minister.

Speaking on the state of the Cape Coast Ministries block, he expressed worry over the maintenance culture of the country and wondered why a building spanning 45 years had not seen any major renovations.

He said Government would take the necessary steps in the shortest possible time to renovate the building to make the place conducive for the workers who had sent many petitions to the Regional administration for its immediate renovation.

Mr Atta Akyea expressed the desire of the Government to focus on maintaining property and expressed concern that, “anything government is run down and neglected so we need to change it”.

The Minster was satisfied about the progress of work on the sea defence project and commended the contractor for finishing the first phase six months ahead of schedule.

–

Source: GNA

The post Provide lands for housing project – Atta Akyea to chiefs  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister said this when he visited some flood affected areas today [Monday], as has been the norm, after such incidents. The Sunday downpour affected areas such as Asylum Down, Avenor, Alajo and the Kwame Nkrumah interchange.

Speaking to journalist after the tour, Mr. Atta Akyea said finding the funds to address the flooding would provide a permanent solution, considering that government has not lacked the required technical expertise.

“My only new approach will be finding money. The engineering sense won’t change. We are not going to reinvent the wheel. The engineers have put together the solution. All we need to do as a solution is to get the cash. If you have the money, the engineers will just roll out the plans and they will start working and you won’t see this again.”

The Minister explained that “from here, we are going to ensure that we do what will meet the emergency situations. The de-silting of drains is going to be carried out. Tentatively, I am seeing something in the neighbourhood of $700 million to fix what is in this area alone… this is what stares at us in the face every year, but we will find the money and do it.”

In the meantime, Mr. Atta Akyea said the dredging in critical areas would provide “a quick fix to ensure there is the free flow into the lagoon and eventually into the sea.”

Flooding on Sunday

The Sunday downpour once again left the Odaw river overflowing its banks. Parts of the Las Palmas restaurant at La Paz, were partially submerged in water whilst the road linking the Ring Road West towards Ako Adjei interchange was also flooded.

The 74 million euros spent on the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange project also appears to have done little to alleviate the perennial flooding issue, as the rains once again left pedestrians stranded by flood waters around the interchange.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll need $700m to solve Accra flooding – Atta Akyea appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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

Mr Atta Akyea, who is also the legislator for Abuakwa South constituency said he will suggest to the President that all new housing projects be halted until the completion of uncompleted ones.

“I laud the NDC government for tackling parts of Presidents Kufuor’s housing project…I will carry through with the constitutional requirements that projects started by previous governments are continued and  completed by succeeding the government and I will even push further to suggest that we do not start new projects until these old ones are completed,” Mr Atta Akyea said.

While answering questions from members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee at his vetting on Tuesday [January 31,2017], the member of Parliament said he believed private sector could play an integral role in meeting the country’s housing needs hence will create favorable conditions to enable them provide housing at affordable prices.

He suggested that banks in the country provide flexible payment terms to enable more Ghanaians to acquire houses.

On protection of state assets, the nominee said he will consider creative ways of protecting state assets that will in the end ensure government make profits.

‘Accommodation for judges’

Reacting to a recent complaint by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Woode that many judges did not have official residence, the minister-nominee said he will push for appropriate housing facilities for the judges. 

‘Gov’t housing project’

The NDC under the leadership of John Mahama initiated a 1,500 housing unit project at Ningo to provide affordable housing for Ghanaians in a bid to reduce the country’s housing deficit of about 1.7 million.

The Ningo project was among the few he initiated to address the problem.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post I’ll complete Mahama’s housing projects – Atta Akyea appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It has also called for the alleged perpetrators, including the Abontendomhene, to be brought to book by the relevant institutions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”oKzCBfoeZv8NHpcXFmnS5uIBwcbQNhQ6″]According to a statement from the campaign team, Mr. Atta Akyea, “intentionally drove his vehicle into a crowd of NDC supporters, wounding several people including the NDC’s mobile cinema crew in Kyebi.”

The incident reportedly occurred after the crew closed from a film screening highlighting President Mahama’s achievements at Akyem Asafo.

The statement also alleges that “irate members of the NPP, led by the Abontendomhene of Kyebi, then went on a rampage, destroying NDC banners, posters and other paraphernalia.”

The campaign team thus called on the National Peace Council and the National House of Chiefs to condemn and hold responsible the Abontendomhene for his actions.

It also implored the police to ensure that the necessary process is followed to bring those responsible for the attacks “to swift justice, and to ensure the safety of all voters in Kyebi.”

Find below the full statement

JM Campaign condemns attack on NDC supporters

The John Mahama 2016 Campaign wishes to denounce the violent and unprovoked attack on members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) by the MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea,  and the Abontendomhene of Kyebi.

Mr. Atta Akyea, who is MP in the constituency of the opposition leader, Nana Akuffo Addo, intentionally drove his  vehicle into a crowd of NDC supporters, wounding several people including the NDC’s mobile cinema crew in Kyebi.

The incident occurred after the crew closed from a ‘film show’ of President John Dramani’s Mahama’s achievements at Akyem Asafo.

Irate members of the NPP, led by the Abontendomhene of Kyebi, then went on a rampage, destroying NDC banners, posters and other paraphernalia.

The attack on our supporters and the destruction of campaign materials are illegal and infringes on the fundamental human right of the people to participate in multi- party politics and support a candidate of their choice.

This was a direct attack by the NPP on NDC supporters, and while calling on our supporters to continue to remain calm, we condemn unreservedly such dastardly acts by the opposition.

Coming just days after the leader of the opposition, despite his widely known violent nature, pledged to work towards a peaceful election before the international community and Ghanaians, we cannot hesitate to advise Nana Addo to learn and appreciate the need to provide leadership to his party and have them desist from violent actions.

We also do hope that the National Peace Council and the National House of Chiefs will condemn and hold responsible the Abontendomhene for his actions.

We implore the police to ensure that the necessary process is followed to bring those responsible for these attacks to swift justice, and to ensure the safety of all voters in Kyebi.

These unprovoked, violent and senseless attacks on Ghanaian citizens must be condemned and the perpetrators brought to book.

We, the NDC, believe in the right of every Ghanaian to vote in peace and safety.

Our vote is our response. Violence is not an option.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari

Spokesperson

John Mahama 2016 Campaign

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bring Atta Akyea to book for attacking us – Mahama campaign appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.