An estimated GH¢862 million is required to complete the La-Kpeshie Coastal Protection Project.
Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Works and Housing, disclosed this yesterday when he appeared before the Government Assurance Committee of Parliament.
He said efforts to secure the necessary financing suffered delays over the last three years, but assured that they were now in the final stages of receiving the “seal of quality.”
He confirmed that the feasibility studies for the project had been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Finance, adding “The project is now awaiting the issuance of the seal of quality from the Finance Ministry, a crucial step before proceeding to the next stages.
Once the seal of quality is issued, he said the ministry would move forward with obtaining a comprehensive warrant and applying for approval.
He stated that these steps would allow the ministry to contract or procure a contractor to begin the project.
The Minister explained that the project would involve the dredging of the lagoon and the construction of groins along a 1000-metre stretch of seafront, adding that each groin would be about 80 metres long and would play a critical role in protecting the coastline.
In total he said the project aims to, among others, protect about five kilometres of the coastline in the area from erosion.
However, the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, expressed serious concerns over the prolonged delays in resuming the project.
He emphasised that three years was too long to be waiting for financial approvals, especially for a project of such critical importance.
“Three years is too long just for processes for approval of finances for such projects,” he said, reflecting the committee’s frustration with the slow pace of progress.
Mr Ablakwa also stressed the importance of ensuring that the area demarcated for the project was protected from encroachment while awaiting the commencement of construction.
He insisted that measures must be put in place to safeguard the land to prevent further complications that could arise from unauthorised developments.
In his response to the committee, Mr Oppong Nkrumah explained that the substantial amount required for the project necessitated a rigorous approval process.
He reiterated that the Ministry was working diligently to expedite the final stages of securing the necessary funds.
Despite these assurances, Mr Ablakwa pointed out that similar explanations had been provided by the Minister’s predecessor, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, underscoring the committee’s concern that the delay was becoming a recurring issue.
He, therefore, urged the Ministry of Works and Housing to make the La-Kpeshie Coastal Protection Project “a top priority.”
BY RAISSA SAMBOUa
