The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reaffirmed the commitment of government to reconstruct the model Apeate community within one year, as promised, saying “all is set for Apeate community reconstruction to begin”.
He said the master plan for the reconstruction works is ready, adding that in a matter of weeks, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, on behalf of the President, will cut sod to commence construction of the core community.
“The model Apeate community will consist of 124 housing units. And by the Grace of God, within one year, we will deliver these houses. All components of the model Apeate housing units, comprising of 1-7 bedrooms, are fit for purpose,” he indicated.
The Minister made this disclosure during a visit to the community to access the conditions and wellbeing of the residents after their relocation from the tents into the temporary structures last month.
Apeate Funds
Mr Jinapor, who is also the MP for Damongo in the Savannah Region, in giving the assurance, debunked propaganda that funds meant for the rebuilding of the community was being used for the construction of the National Cathedral.
“The Apeate project is non-partisan, without colorisation. I humbly call on the inhabitants in Apeate and its environs to disregard such propaganda and untrue statements,” he stated.
He urged Ghanaians to support the Apeate Reconstruction project by donating to the support Fund, stressing that the funds would be disbursed “transparently and usefully”.
As part of his visit, the Minister also symbolically decommissioned the tents, which had previously been the abode of the residents to end the temporary habitation in tents imposed on them by the tragic circumstances.
Commendation
The Minister commended the chairman of the Apeate Reconstruction Implementation Team, Benito Owusu-Bio, and members and the Municipal Chief Executives for their tremendous contributions.
“You have done great work. I am very impressed with the work of the ARIT team headed by my Deputy Minister in charge of Lands and Forestry. They have done very well, and have shown that they are a true example of the Ghanaian tradition of public service,” he noted.
He called on the residents to support the government to deliver the houses, adding that their collective effort is needed during this critical time for the houses to be delivered to them.
The Lands Minister donated assorted food items, including bags of rice, sugar and gallons of oil to the residents, estimated at GH₵10,000.
A Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio, disclosed that plans are far advanced to ensure that electricity, water and other basic amenities are made available to the community.
Mr Owusu-Bio, who doubles as Chair of the Reconstruction Implementation Team, added that designs, survey work, and plotting of the sites were all being completed to enable the actual reconstruction works to begin next month.
On behalf of Nana Kojo Bremibi, Chief of Apeate, Kyeame Kwame Ofori, thanked the Minister and the reconstruction team. He said the efforts of the Minister demonstrates true leadership, and wished the entire team well in the cause of the rebuilding journey.
