Breman Asikuma (Central Region), 22 Jan. '99, Two District Chief Executives in the Central region last Saturday accused the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) of hampering the decentralisation process.

The DCEs for Agona and Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, told Central Regional Minister, Col Charles Agbenaza, during a tour of their districts that SSNIT has not handed over 20 housing units it constructed between 1996 and 1997 for the two district assemblies.

SSNIT it was said had turned down a request by the Asikuma district assembly to pay for the cost of the buildings in installments and has demanded outright payment. The Trust is yet to discuss the cost and mode of payment with the Agona district assembly.

At Breman Asikuma, the DCE, Mr J.K. Addai, told the Minister that although the assembly now has the money to pay for the houses, ''all attempts to get SSNIT to release the houses have proved futile.''

The assembly has set aside 97 million cedis for the extension of water and electricity to the houses as soon as they are released, Mr Addai said.

Mr Addai appealed to the Regional Co-ordinating Council to lift the ban imposed on the assembly on the award of contracts to enable it to construct its own housing units to alleviate the accommodation problem facing decentralised departments.

About three years ago, the RCC banned some district assemblies which were found to have flouted laid down procedures from awarding contracts.

Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, Agona DCE, was not happy that SSNIT has not yet approached the assembly to enable it to take over the buildings.

The Regional Minister, advised against an out-right payment for the houses since this will affect funding for other projects and urged the two assemblies to make ''satisfactory arrangements'' with SSNIT for the release of the buildings.

On the ban imposed on the Asikuma assembly, Lt-Col. Agbenaza said it will be lifted when the RCC is satisfied that the assembly would adhere to laid down procedures .