Saglemi housing project was $200m; not $280m – Sampson Ahi

The Minister for Works and Housing under the erstwhile Mahama administration, Sampson Ahi has refuted a publication suggesting that his government was involved in a shady deal which resulted in a reduction of housing units that were supposed to be built for an a mount of two hundred and eighty million dollars ($280m).

A report by Daily Guide said the Mahama administration was supposed to build 5000 units at Saglemi for $280 million. The NDC’s administration, according to the report however, paid 80 percent of the contract sum upfront.

A few months later, the contract was reportedly varied to 3000 units still at the same cost of $280million. It was further varied to 1500 units at the same cost of $280 million but about 600 units have so far been built.

The publication further said per DGN Online‘s findings, out of the 600 units, only about 200 could be somehow occupied with little work and that is if people are willing to occupy them in such a state.

The development does not have any drains or sewage systems and is not likely to sell until such systems are put in place, a source familiar with the project told DGN Online. The contractors for the project Constratora OAS Ghana Limited, according to the report, are claiming they could not finish the job because the remaining 20 percent was not paid.

But Mr. Mr. Ahi in a firm rebuttal says the claims are untrue. He tells Ghanaweb.com that the amount involved in the construction of the project was rather $200m.

“The money for the project was never $280m,” he insists. “This is not true. The amount involved was $200m for 5000 housing units to be done in 3 phases. The first phase was 1502. By the time we left from the report by the consultant we have completed 1035 and 377 was completed but left with internal works such as tires fixing WC etc. The remaining 90 was at roofing and window levels. The project was still ongoing when we left office.”