Accra (Greater Accra) 21 June '99

The Civil Service has slowed consideration of applications for Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) flats by civil servants because of their high cost.

It said the budgetary allocation for housing from the Ministry of Finance is not substantial to support payment of 38 million cedis per flat as being demanded by SSNIT.

Dr Mr Robert Dodoo Head of the Civil Service, announced at a press conference to outdoor the programme of activities to commemorate the fifth anniversary celebration of Africa Day of Administration and Civil Service in Accra on Monday.

The day has been set aside to take stock of the civil service, discuss pertinent issues affecting the administration of the service and gather views for improving it.

Dr Dodoo said, "due to the financial constraint and low budgetary allocation for housing, the service cannot afford a flat payment of 38 million cedis a flat."

"The service can only pay five million cedis for each beneficiary or make instalment payment since the 38 million cedis will drain the service and deny others from benefiting."

Mr Kofi Obeng-Adofo, Chief Director of the Civil Service, said the service has been operating a special scheme, the Public Servant Housing Scheme, for over two decades now to help lessen the accommodation problems of working and retired public servants.

So far, about 700 people have benefited from the scheme.

Mr Obeng-Adofo said apart from the scheme, the service has been relying on SSNIT to provide housing to civil servants but its policy has changed to a flat payment demand for each flat.