The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project requires an investment of approximately US$68 million to complete.
This would enable the project take care of other essential onsite infrastructure works like ; Waste Holding Bay, Sewerage treatment plant, Development of socio-economic, and civic infrastructure – Basic School, Clinic, Shops etc.
Information indicates that it is only through these investments that the housing units in Saglemi can be habitable and self-sustaining considering its location.
The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project was initiated in 2012 for the delivery of 5,000 housing units at a total cost of US$200,000,000.00.
Records at the Housing Ministry indicates that , by the end of the stipulated completion date, the original contract of the project had been amended three (3) times yielding 1,506 housing units at various stages of completion, although US$195,854,969.52 representing 98% of the project funds had been expended.
Meanwhile, none of these 1,506 housing units was habitable, because the project currently lacks basic amenities, such as, water and electricity, and other related amenities.
Also, a technical assessment report by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors in September, 2020, valued the total cost of works on site at US$64,982,900.74.
It emerged that the issues about the scope of work and the money expended on the project became topical and was taken to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Ghana Police Service for investigations and as it stands now, the Attorney General has taken the issue to court for determination.
However, to forestall the project from fast deteriorating, there was the need to seek a legal opinion from the Attorney General as to whether the project could be completed whiles the case was still pending in court.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in an opinion dated 12th October, 2021 advised that the project should be completed and further confirmed the position of the Ministry on the need to arrest the fast deterioration of the project and ensure that the project objectives of increasing the housing stock in the country is achieved.
“Since the project had been suspended for some time, Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL), one of the consultants for the project were consulted to provide detailed Bills of Quantities that was required to complete the project.”
“In furtherance to this, an assessment was made to explore other alternatives that could reduce the cost to complete the project. For instance, after further consultations, Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) estimated the cost to supply water to the site at approximately USD30 million reducing the cost of this item from the initial USD69 million by Ghana Water Company Limited.”
However, the Ministry actively engaged Cabinet, the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice on the completion of the project, leading to several presentations being made to Cabinet highlighting various options and possible ways the Saglemi Housing Project could be completed for habitation.
It is required of government raise additional financing to the tune of approximately US$46 million to complete the off-site infrastructure works, that is; Water, Electricity, and Storm drain (flood mitigation works).
Also, after assessment, verification and consultations, Cabinet directed the Minister to explore the possibility of disposing of the Saglemi Housing Project, covering the 1,506 housing units, at the current value to a private sector entity to complete and sell the housing units to the public, at no further cost to government.
