The acting Rent Control Commissioner, has slammed the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for charging what is deemed as exploitative and outrageous fees at it hostels.
According to Fredrick Opoku, it was concerning for SSNIT responsible for managing workers’ pensions, to disgracefully profiteer from already overburdened parents and students when it comes accommodation.
The Commissioner, said this after a recent official tour of some hostel facilities at tertiary institutions in Accra, noting in particular the case of the Trust’s Ghana Hostels Limited (Pentagon Blocks) or African Union Hall on the University of Ghana campus, Legon in Accra.
Speaking directly and passionately to what the facility is doing, he said fees charged are simply exorbitant noting the people they are taking so much from are students.
In one instance, he said he gathered that the prices differ from “new” and “old” Pentagon blocks, revealing that rooms occupied by four students in the older block allegedly cost between GH¢6,000 and GH¢6,400 per semester, while accommodation in the newer block was significantly more expensive.
He also raised strong objection to rooms fitted with air conditions charging as much as GHc 20, 000 to GHc 30, 000 per semester.
He wondered where these learners were going to raise these moneys from, demanding to know if SSNIT wanted them to involve themselves in unlawful acts.
In a follow up interview on Hitz FM, the boss of the Rent Control said what the Trust is doing is unacceptable, showing visible anger.
Read below is his interaction with the host….
If you went to, is it Pent Hostel called Ghana Hostels? Yes. That’s the name? Yes, that’s the name. Pent. Ghana Hostels is for who? SSNIT. You, SSNIT, you are managing people’s, what do you call it, pension, right? And the same period that you are exploiting them.
What kind of behaviour is that? SSNIT! They should bow their heads in shame. You can never use people’s money and manage and exploit. I went there.
I didn’t bring the sheets. I don’t want to be liable to any legal suit. I want to just talk to the issues.
You are paying, you go to Pent, they say they have new Pent and old Pent. Look at these terminologies and semantics. New Pent and old Pent.
What definitions are given to you? This one is a new block. And the old blocks, for example, four in one. Four students in one room.
They will take you about 6,000 for the old one. 6,400 or so. Then the new one is 8,000 per semester.
In fact, one room with air conditioning, they are talking about 20,000 plus. Wow. Or 30,000.
What is the meaning of this? Students, do you want them to go and do prostitution to come and pay?
During the tour, the Commissioner demanded to know what goes into these charges which the managers could not readily provide.
He also asked for certain documents that qualify them to operate as a business, indicating if on his next visit if they fail to provide them the place will be shutdown
By Gifty Boateng