Regional News of Tuesday, 26 September 2006

Source: GNA

SSNIT disappoints occupants of Sakumono flats

Accra, Sept 26, GNA - Seven months after SSNIT had asked occupants of six flats at the Sakumono Estate to vacate their abode to enable it to revamp the structure that has developed frightening cracks due to shoddy work, it is yet to start work.

An occupant of one of the flats who wants to be anonymous told the "I went there last week and I saw used condoms and marijuana." He said SSNIT was forceful in getting them out of the flats and they thought the Trust, with its huge resources, would approach the rehabilitation with the same zeal.

The occupant showed the GNA a letter signed by Mr Kofi Ampong, the Head of Properties Management Department, to the occupants that stated "Kindly note that the six months statutory notice given you to vacate the flat will end on 5th March, 2006."

"We will therefore be grateful if, in your interest, you could give the Trust vacant possession of your flat on or before 6th March, 2006 to enable us commence the rehabilitation of Block B/14.''

The "statutory vacation notice" was given in October 2005. He said he and his colleagues obeyed SSNIT's directive, moved out of the flats and handed over the keys to SSNIT even before the deadline.

"It is sad SSNIT seems not to be in a hurry to repair the flats and is seems not to be bothered about the occupants of the flats," he told the GNA.

He said a few years ago a friend of his bought a house from NTHC at the Sakumono Estate but the house developed cracks after his friend had moved in.

"NTHC moved my friend out of the house into another house at its cost, repaired the house and moved my friend back into it. This is the hallmark of a caring organisation, one that values and cares for its customers."

"It is unthinkable that well endowed SSNIT cannot organise accommodation for us until such time that it finishes the rehabilitation."

"It is surprising SSNIT, a huge state-owned institution with formidable financial resources at its disposal, has decided to treat its customers shabbily."

The occupant showed the GNA another letter signed by Mr Ampong that stated "In view of the imminent danger to life and property, we wish to advise that you take the notice to vacate the flats seriously and if possible move out immediately before the six months period given you." He said he had been reliably informed an engineer had submitted his report on Block B/14 to SNNIT "but it seems all is silent."