NPP kicks against $10bn Korea housing deal

By: Bismark Bebli
THE MAIN opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised red flag over government's decision to engage Koreans to build 200,000 affordable houses for the security agencies at the cost of US$10billion. It has subsequently called on parliament to suspend the approval for the supplier's Credit Facility Agreement, in order for the government and parliament to do better due diligence.

According to the NPP, the government should equally explore other options that will ensure greater participation of the local Real Estate Industry and achieve better value for money.  'We start by stating categorically that the NPP, with our ideology in property-owning democracy,

will support the Mills' administration to provide affordable housing for Ghanaians and our security personnel. The NPP, during our eight years in government committed substantial resources to address the nation's housing shortage with GH¢30million (¢300billion) for the construction of affordable homes across the country.'

Addressing a news conference in Accra yesterday, the national chairman of the party, Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey described the Korean STX deal as bogus and unacceptable, adding that it was not in the national interest.

Mr. Lamptey, flanked by his national executives, with some Members of Parliament, urged Ghanaians to step up their opposition to the housing programme initiated by the government.

Below is the full statement.