The Speaker of Parliament has requested for a Parliamentary probe into the alleged misappropriation of about $159 Million to be used for the Saglemi Housing Project.
The Works and Housing Committee is to submit a report on the project to Parliament in 2 weeks.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Hon.
Samuel Atta Akyea stated that, a supplementary audit of expenditure on the Project will be completed in a month to enable the prosecution of some erstwhile NDC Government Appointees.
According to Hon. Atta Akyea, $200 Million was paid to a Contractor for 5000 Housing Units but only 1000 houses were built so far.
He accused the former Minster, Collins Dauda of illegally varying the terms of the contract after Parliamentary approval.
During a media briefing section after the Parliamentary sittings, Hon. Atta Akyea said $40 Million of the $80 Million released initially to the Contractor was also diverted.
According to Hon. Sampson Ahi
However, Mr Sampson Ahi, a former Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing at the time the project was started calls the bluff of Hon. Atta Akyea.
He explained that there’s a difference between a commercial agreement which came to Parliament for approval which stated $200 Million to construct 5000 Housing Units and an ETC agreement that would come up after the Engineers are done with the designs.
As a result of that, attributing the $200 Millions to only 5000 Housings means disregarding other essential components of the project like water, power supply, drainage and sewage systems which are all relevant to the completion of the project.
Mr Ahi said the proposed agreement done by E.T Mensah a former Minister of Housing at the time the project was started stated that, the project will be completed in 4 Phases.
After the design, the ETC agreement had the 1st phase of 1502 Housing Units of which about 1084 have been completed as at the time of handing over.
He argued that, Hon. Atta Akyea visited the project and expressed his admiration for the Contractor and the Ministry of Housing for a good work done. He later continued the project and honored a certificate to the tune of $5.6 Million and also extended the Contract period Because the Contractor was unable to complete the work on schedule.
He concluded that, all payments made and their relevant supporting documents are available for reference.
Source: Ghanafeed.com
