General News of Friday, 1 August 2003

Source: GNA

Community rejects HIPC funded project

Tepa (Ash), Aug 1, GNA - The chiefs and people of Dwaaho in the Ahafo-Ano North District have rejected a 180 million-cedi completed HIPC relief funded junior secondary school and sanitary block because of shoddy work.

They described the block as a death trap and have vowed not to allow their wards to enter the block of three classrooms that also has an office and a store.

In a letter to the District Chief Executive (DCE) signed by Nana Kwasi Prempeh, the Krontihene and the Regent of the town and five others, dated July 29, 2003, the people listed weak foundation, cracks on the floor and walls and poor quality window and door frames which are disintegrating as their reasons for rejecting it.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nana Prempeh said when the contractor started the project they realised that the sand and the blocks he was using for the project were not of good quality but when they brought this to the notice of the contractor, the consultant and the DCE they were ignored them.

The DCE, Mr Kwasi Adu-Poku told the GNA that he shared the same sentiment with the community, adding that he detected the defects during inspection of the project and informed both the contractor, Messrs S. Konamagya Limited and OCADS Consult Limited, who have promised to rectify the defects.

He said the district administration would take over the building after the defects had been remedied before handing it over to the District Director of Education for use.