Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has delivered on its promise to secure a safe haven for the displaced victims of Apiate.
Through a lot of collaborative efforts and supervision of work on-site, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio, said five more structures have been added to the initial 32.
This brings the numbers to a total of 37 structures, which he said have all been completely refurbished with roofings, doors and windows, with carpets laid in each room to shelter all the displaced people of Apiate temporarily.
Addressing the media on his unannounced visit to Apiate, Mr Owusu-Bio said 800 victims of 125 households are being moved into the completed rooms while reaffirming that the official relocation day of the people from the tents to the completed buildings still remains 4th May 2022.
The Deputy Minister expressed his joy over the citizen’s enthusiasm about moving into the newly renovated buildings and hoped that on the actual day of final relocation, all 800 people would have moved from the tents to the temporary structures.
“Our visit here today was just to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are put in place for a smooth transition on 4th May 2022 on which we will come with the Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor to officially handover the buildings to the people.
“I’m happy with what I’ve seen today, most of them have moved in and gradually we hope that all will move in before we return on Wednesday,” he said.
He assured that having completed the temporary structures, plans are far advanced to commence work on the main Apiate site, adding that the tendering has been opened and the committee is almost done and soon the work will begin.
The Deputy Minister who is also the Chairman of the Apiate Reconstruction Committee in his submission appreciated the support of his team and the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Isaac Dasmani and also thanked Ghanaians for their generosity towards the Support fund and the people of Apiate.
The temporary structures were handed out to the Ministry by the Future Global Resources Company(FGR), to aid government house the people of Apiate temporarily as it gathers efforts and funds to reconstruct the Apiate township which was razed by an explosion some months ago.