Story By: Samali Abdul-Razak
A MAJOR government project intended to serve as the administrative hub of the Oti Region has been left unfinished for years, raising concerns among residents about the waste of public funds and stalled development.
The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) complex at Dambai, which was started under the previous administration, now lies abandoned and overgrown with weeds.
The project, which includes an administration block and residential bungalows, was launched in 2020 with the aim of providing a permanent office for the region’s administration and improving government services in Oti.
However, four years after construction began, the facility remains incomplete, with grass covering much of the compound and signs of neglect visible across the site. Residents say the abandoned structure has become an eyesore and a potential security risk.
“We were excited when work started because we believed it would help the development of the region,” a resident of Dambai told this reporter. “Today, the place has been taken over by bushes, and people are afraid to go near it, especially at night.”
According to residents, the uncompleted buildings have become a breeding ground for reptiles and other dangerous animals, while some fear criminals may be using the area after dark.
Others expressed disappointment that the region still lacks a permanent administrative centre despite the significant investment made in the project.
“This facility was supposed to house key regional offices,” another resident said. “Instead, many government departments continue to operate from temporary and rented premises.”
Residents are now calling on the government to prioritise the completion of the project, stressing that the issue goes beyond politics.
“For us, this is not about NPP or NDC,” a market trader in Dambai said. “It is about completing a project that was started with taxpayers’ money and ensuring it serves the purpose for which it was built.”
Many believe completing the RCC complex would not only improve public administration in the region but also demonstrate the government’s commitment to the development of Oti.
For now, the unfinished facility remains a stark reminder of an important project that has yet to deliver on its promise.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
