Speaking on Accra-based Citi TV, the opposition lawmaker said the estimate included the demolition of buildings on land overlooking the Cathedral and the payment of compensation.
“We were told by the Minister of Finance that the project would cost $100 million, then the figure increased to $150 million. The Chairman, Opoku Onyinah then mentioned $200 million but now based on new documents, I know that the project will cost the Ghanaian taxpayers about $1 billion.
“The same amount that former president Mahama used to set up the Ghana Gas project which generates about $400 million annually,” Mr. Ablakwa told Umaru Sanda Amadu.
The North Tongu MP noted that approximately $400 million does not include the cost of relocating the Judges’ bungalow, $50 million needed to relocate the Judicial Training Institute and $10 million to move the passport office.
He added that the Waterstone Complex whose office was demolished to make way for the cathedral is also in court demanding $120 million from the government as well as the millions of dollars needed to relocate the Comsys office and the Mali Ambassador’s residence.
Mr. Ablakwa stated that the total cost of all these amounts including the modification of projects such as the Bible park and the museum will take the total cost from $400 million to more than $1 billion.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Pdt. Kusi Boateng has also been arrested by Okudzeto Ablakwa for having multiple identities and receiving some 2.6 million cedis for no work.