The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Talensi District of the Upper East Regional has questioned the government’s motive for the abandoned Pusu-Namongo Housing Project.
“What has happened to the Pusu-Namogo Housing Project, whose sod has been cut for the past 4 years?
Their statement came a day after President Akufo-Addo cut sod in Accra for the National Affordable Housing Project, which aims to construct 8,000 units with private-sector support.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that in addition to the $198 million already spent on the Saglemi project, the government would need an extra $46 million to complete infrastructural works such as water, electricity, and drainage to mitigate flooding.
Additionally, $68 million would be required to finish the buildings and essential onsite infrastructure, including waste holding bays, sewage treatment plants, and the development of socioeconomic and civic facilities like schools, clinics, and shops.
Unfortunately, in the case of the Pusu-Namogo Housing Project is a different story altogether, the site has been abandoned for over 4 years since after the sod cutting by the President on November 29, 2019.
However, in a press statement issued by the Talensi NDC through its Communication Officer Michael Nangena, they are not against the provision of such social infrastructure in any part of Ghana, “as evidenced in the P/NDC’s records of the provisions of same through the SSNIT affordable housing units in the Upper East, Northern, Upper West, and Eastern regions and the Saglemi Housing Project during the Mahama’s era, respectively, we hold the strong view that the government must uphold its commitment and promise to the people of Talensi and the Upper East Region as a whole”.
The statement further states, “The government’s failure to keep faith with its promise to deliver on the project has left the good people of the area deceived, swindled, and disillusioned. The government’s neglect has not only shattered the hopes of those in dire need of housing but also exposed the administration’s lack of foresight and dedication to improving the living conditions of the people of Ghana”.
“We call on the insensitive NPP-led government to prioritize the welfare of the people and take urgent steps to rectify the current injustices, corruption, and misgovernance it is currently perpetuating against the people of Ghana”. The statement said
Read full statement:
TALENSI CONSTITUENCY COMMUNICATION BUREAU (NDC)
PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT: THE NPP-NANA ADDO’S GOVERNMENT LACK OF COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN PUSU-NAMOGO IN THE TALENSI CONSTITUENCY
Date: August 2, 2023.
On November 29, 2019, President Nana Akuffo Addo, amidst much fanfare and excitement, ceremoniously cut the sod for work to begin on the construction of 120 affordable housing units in Pusu-Namogo in the Talensi Constituency of the Upper East Region under the auspices of the State House Corporation. The project was aimed at meeting the housing needs of the people of the Upper East Region, creating about 3000 jobs for the people, and helping the country address its huge housing deficit.
It is instructive to note that this government, since the theatrical sod cutting, has insultingly constructed only two semi-detached two bed rooms uncompleted structures at the site. What’s more shocking to note is the fact that the government, after deliberately reneging on this project, has reportedly cut another sod as recently as August 1, 2023, for the construction of about 8,000 housing units in Pokuasi in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana with the firm promise to deliver these in fourteen months.
So the questions arise:
What has happened to the Pusu-Namogo Housing Project, whose sod has been cut for the past 4 years?
Is that project not of importance to Nana Addo-Bawumia’s government?
While we are not against the provision of such social infrastructure in any part of Ghana, as evidenced in the P/NDC’s records of the provisions of same through the SSNIT affordable housing units in the Upper East, Northern, Upper West, and Eastern regions and the Saglemi Housing Project during the Mahama’s era, respectively, we hold the strong view that the government must uphold its commitment and promise to the people of Talensi and the Upper East Region as a whole.
It is unconscionable that we are witnessing the utter neglect and abandonment of this ambitious project, which the governing party drew a lot of undeserved political capital from in its re-election bid in the 2020 general elections.
The government’s failure to keep faith with its promise to deliver on the project has left the good people of the area deceived, swindled, and disillusioned. The government’s neglect has not only shattered the hopes of those in dire need of housing but also exposed the administration’s lack of foresight and dedication to improving the living conditions of the people of Ghana.
By abandoning the project, Nana Addo-Bawumia’s administration has not only betrayed the trust of the people of Talensi and that of the Upper East Region but also jeopardized the People’s access to their farmlands, their source of livelihoods, which was taken away from them without appropriate compensations, and their access to social housing, which is critical to a sustainable and equitable society at a time when the prices of building materials are out of the reach of many Ghanaians owing largely to the maladministration of this regime. The adverse effects of this dereliction of duty, particularly on the smallholder farmers who have lost their farmlands to the government’s deceit and those struggling with housing insecurity in the region, cannot be glossed over.
The NDC in the Talensi Constituency urges the failed Nana Addo-Bawumia’s government to save the little credibility that is left with it and immediately take responsibility for its failure, rededicate itself to the project, and provide the needed resources to ensure the execution and completion of the project.
We demand transparency and accountability in the handling of public resources to ensure that such a gross neglect of the public interest does not recur.
The NDC stands firmly with the people of Talensi and all who are affected by this regrettable turn of events. We will continue to advocate for responsible governance, equitable housing policies, and genuine efforts to uplift the living standards of our citizens, as was witnessed under the watch of the NDC-John Mahama administration.
We call on the insensitive NPP-led government to prioritize the welfare of the people and take urgent steps to rectify the current injustices, corruption, and misgovernance it is currently perpetuating against the people of Ghana.
The future of our country depends on real commitment to addressing the challenges confronting the people, not mere rhetoric, fanciful sod cuttings, and empty, highfalutin promises.
Issued by:
Michael Nangena
(Communication Officer)0246625057
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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