GH¢50,000 was my own quotation

The Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing says the GH¢50,000 he said was required to renovate one government bungalow was not based on any technical assessment.

"When I mentioned the GH¢50,000, it was not based on any estimates, it was not based on any consultation with the technical people," Mr. Albert Abongo stated.

He explained that while on a tour of some government bungalows with journalists, he was asked the amount he thought would be needed to renovate the bungalows to make them habitable and he mentioned the figure, based on his own assessment of the situation.

"At the end of the day we will know if it is a serious figure or not. If people sit down and do a detail (analysis) of what is involved, maybe they will come to say yes I was wrong or I was right".

Mr. Abongo was speaking to Joy News' Dzifa Bampoe in reaction to assertions by management consultant, Ato Konduah that the amount was too much.

Mr. Konduah had argued that a maximum of GH¢25,000 could renovate and furnish the bungalows for the ministers.

He decried the situation where public officials expected the state to furnish their residencies with luxurious furnishings.

He said although government has a policy of minimum furnishings for ministers, it had been abused to the point where ministers ask their ministries to top up in order for them to enjoy unlimited luxury.

Such conduct, he lamented, results in the wastage of state resources.

Mr. Konduah believes the minimum furniture policy should be adhered to, so that "any other requirement that you think you would want, you bring it in yourself and take it out (when leaving office)".

But the Works and Housing Minister thinks that will be a difficult thing to do.

"I am not too sure it is possible that you set a standard for furnishings."

He said if the nation wants to put a ceiling on the level of furnishing that ministers should enjoy, then a national debate should be undertaken.

Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline