<<Print>>

The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has presented five Hydraform Machines to the Regional Departments of Rural Housing (DRH) within its (SADA) zone to help provide the citizenry with quality but affordable building materials for construction of decent houses. SADA�s presentation of the machines to the DRH in Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions was in line with its Sustainable Housing Programme to provide affordable shelter to residents within its (SADA) zone. Under the arrangement, DRH within the SADA zone, which has the technical expertise, will use the Hydraform Machines, used mainly to mould blocks, to execute SADA�s Sustainable Housing Programme by proving improved local building materials and enterprise techniques in housing construction. Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, who witnessed the presentation of the machines to DRH in Tamale on Tuesday, said �These Machines are intended to be a business oriented housing scheme that brings returns to the work of DRH in the regions as well as train and provide the youth in the SADA zone with skills in sustainable housing construction�. Alhai Fuseini said �This collaboration between SADA and DRH is backed by government policy to use 60 per cent of local building materials in the construction of public buildings�. He said this would facilitate the provision of employable skills to the youth as well as quality but affordable building materials for construction of decent houses thereby promoting healthy environment for better living. Dr Emmanuel Abere-inga, Director of Programmes at SADA, said the Hydraform Machines would help to deliver more climate resilient houses to withstand the test of time. Mrs Deborah Kuwornu, National Director of DRH, said �The DRH is excited and committed that these new machines will not only aid the provision of housing and create jobs but also boost our local economies�. Mrs Kuwornu said DRH in partnership with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would roll out a number of programmes in line with the set objectives of SADA in addressing the housing needs within its (SADA) operation area. She said �To make use of these machines, projects including assisting flood victims, constructing houses for staff of MMDAs, government workers as well as individuals and corporate groups, providing training through our Transfer of Technology and Entrepreneurial Training Programmes have been slated ready for implementation�. She said this technology would provide cost effective, high quality building materials for accommodation, schools, health centres, sheds, market squares amongst others to address the inadequate and poor housing situation in rural and peri-urban areas and other communities that needed a face-lift. Voggu Naa (Chief of Voggu) Bawa, a Member of the Council of State, who chaired the ceremony, urged SADA to engage chiefs, opinion leaders and the youth to explain and correct all misconceptions about its objectives and operations.