5000-unit AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT AT SAGLEMI IN THE NINGO DISTRICT

Affordable housing is one of the many developmental projects being carried out by the Government of Ghana and with the said showing keen interest in the 5000 affordable housing project being carried out by Construtora OAS Ghana Ltd, with a first phase of about 1502 houses completed.

The major housing deficit which our country Ghana faces was what edged the Government to take up this project. Ghana has a housing deficit of 1.7 million and the government has been seeking avenues, including partnership with the private sector, to address the challenge.

The project will be a major boost to diminish housing deficit in the country. it is a complete city, which will have industrial and recreational facilities, schools, shopping malls and other social amenities as well as security and this will be will be affordable  for lots of  people to acquire.

The former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Alhaji Collins Dauda, also said plans were advanced to also initiate mortgage facilities to assist people interested in buying the houses. The ministry, he said, was also developing other marketing programs to suit all potential buyers. That, he said, was to ensure that low and middle-income earners were able to acquire the homes, since they would be given the opportunity to pay over a long period of time.

The project is estimated at USD200m and would be carried out in different phases till its completion. The first phase with is made up of about 1502 houses is said to be completed There were some setbacks which the project manager identified, with the major one being rains which affected the foundation of the structures. The contractor had to complete all the foundations and lift the structures above ground level as a measure to prevent flooding. Cost involved in executing the project was another setback. The government played its role in securing over 1200 acres of land, at a very low rate. In return, up to 40% of the houses will be sold at subsidized rates for low income earners to afford,”     Approximately, 80% of all the inputs and raw materials were procured and fabricated in Ghana thus minimizing the general cost involved.

“The project represents a milestone in the housing industry in Ghana, nothing of this magnitude has ever been accomplished and this project forms part of national intervention measures aimed at reducing the over 1.7 million housing unit deficit. Not only that but this project has offered employment to many youths in the saglemi enabling them to acquire various skills and knowledge for their personal development.

The completion of this project is anticipated to meet its deadline. Not often are project deadlines met here in Ghana but the project manager of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, Mr Valdir Acatauassu believes they will be able to meet their deadline as a result of the resources and technology available to them. It is anticipated that over the next six years, an additional 9,000 housing units will be built, forming part of a township.

PE Local, Michael Essah Baidoo