The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction works on the ongoing police housing project for personnel of the Ghana Police Service at Kwabenya (Atomic).
The Ghana Meteorological Service, Civil Aviation and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) will also benefit from the project.
On an inspection tour, the Minister said the 504 housing units will comprise one and two-bedroom units, a school complex, a hospital and a recreational area. These, he indicated, will pave way for the relocation of personnel of the Ghana Police Service at the airport area for the redevelopment of the area into a commercial hub.
Present during the tour was the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Lands and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio. According to him, the project, which is 92 percent complete, will be ready in the second week of February 2023.
He further disclosed that the project, which is being developed by Unique Development Company, is a land swap agreement between the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, Lands Commission, Ministry of Interior, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the private developer.
Agreement
He explained that the agreement was reached when the government realised that the Ghana Police Service was in urgent need of accommodation. This, he noted, also fell in line with government’s plan to build modern Barracks for the security services, as their numbers keep increasing by the day
“Our Ministry has gone through procurement processes to be able to come out with this project. The project includes 504 housing units accommodation for the Ghana Police Service, that’s a Barracks made up of one-bedroom flat, bathrooms, kitchen and other amenities.
“Also, there’s a police station attached, and we’ve built Primary and Junior High School, which will be accompanied by an Astroturf for the children. There’s also a clinic, which will be under the Ghana Police Hospital. We’ve provided a rebuilt Police Maintenance Unit into a modernised one. This comes with a police post, offices and conference facilities, canteens, warehouses and special garages, among other departments,” he mentioned.
The Deputy Minister said the police housing project was a major intervention that would increase the housing stock for the men and women in the service.
Mr Owusu-Bio recalled that the construction began in 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress was interrupted and almost halted. However, he reiterated, “with 92% completion currently, we are hopeful to see the complete work by February 2023”.
Others
The Deputy Minister explained that the project also includes a 10 unit, 2-bedroom accommodation for the engineering and mechanic department of the Service, with offices, canteens, and a police post to ensure their safety.
He told the media that the police station within the new community will not only serve the Police Service and their families but also serve those in the neighbouring areas as well.
The Deputy Minister clarified that the project had also relocated the residents of the Ghana Airport Company and the Meteorological Service at Jubilee enclave to pave way for the construction of the Jubilee City Project.
He expressed his joy on the progress of work done so far, saying “work is far advanced, and we are hopeful that the contractors will meet the deadline”.
“The first phase of the project, which includes 312 housing units, also has a fully furnished clinic, school block for JHS and Primary, police mobile maintenance unit, police station, fuel depot and a garage. The second phase will see the construction of 192 housing units, taking the total number to 504 housing units,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, he also took the media on a tour of the old Police Service accommodation facilities at the Airport, 37 DVLA enclave, to give them an appreciation of the difference in outlook and the better facilities government is offering the Police Service.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) must be commended for such biggest Police facility that is being built as a whole unit after independence.
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