The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Talensi constituency has taken a swipe at the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for abandoning the construction of the Rock Estate housing project at Pusu-Namoo in the Talensi District after almost four years of sod cutting.
The the president of Ghana, Nana Addo on 29th November, 2019 amidst pump and pageantry in the company of revered chiefs, Ministers of state, and other dignitaries cut sod for the construction 120 hosing units at Pusu-Namoo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region to be sold to public servants as part of measures to reduce the housing deficits in the Region.
After almost four years since government secured the farm lands of the residents of the community for the project, the State Housing Company has failed to complete a single housing unit at the sight.
Government on 1st August, 2023, cut another sod to construct about 800 housing units at Pokuasi in the Nations capital to be completed within fourteen months.
The Communication officer of the NDC in the Talensi constituency, micheal Nangena in a press release wondered why the government will abandon the Pusu-Namoo housing project to begin another one in Accra.
“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.”
The NDC accuses the government of deceiving and shattering the hopes of those in dire need of housing the the area by not completing the project.
“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”
They are also concerned that farmers who previously farmed on the large piece of land for their livelihoods have been denied access to their formless while the land lie in waste.
“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 farm lands, 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 farm lands to the government’s deceit and those struggling with housing insecurity in the region, cannot be glossed over.”
They have therefore called government to turn its attention to the Rock Estate housing project and provide the needed resources for its completion.
“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.”
Below is the full presa 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 farm lands, 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 farm lands 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.
END
Issued by:
Michael Nangena
(Communication Officer)0246625057
Albert Zuure (Deputy)
0540633971
Augustine Mmi-oni Guure (Secretary)
0244806654
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com