Debates of 3 Feb 2006

MR. FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:05 a.m.
CORRECTION OF VOTES 10:05 a.m.
AND PROCEEDINGS AND 10:05 a.m.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:05 a.m.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Order! Order! Hon. Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 2nd February, 2006. Pages 1 - 2?
Mr. K. Appiah-Pinkrah 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I was visibly here yesterday, but my name appears as having been absent with permission.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
So you
were here?
Mr. Appiah-Pinkrah 10:05 a.m.
Yes, Sir.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
There-
fore the records should be corrected to reflect same. Any other correction? Pages
3 6?
Mr. T. Abul-Rauf Ibrahim 10:05 a.m.
Mr.
Speaker, hon. Alidu, Iddrisu Zakari, Member for Walewale is absent with permission, but his name keeps on appearing on the list of Members absent without permission.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
How
would you know that he is absent with permission?
Mr. Ibrahim 10:05 a.m.
He informed me; we
took the leave of absence form together before he left.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Are you
aware whether it was approved or not?
Mr. Ibrahim 10:05 a.m.
Yes, please it was approved.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
All right,
I think the Clerk's office would investigate that and if necessary effect the necessary correction. Yes, pages 7 - 9? - [Pause.] Hon. Members, in the absence of any other correction we would assume that the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 2nd February, 2006 reflect exactly what took place on that day.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:05 a.m.
Mr. K. A. Okerchiri 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, on
Mrs. Grace Coleman 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I thought that the hon. Member would at least, give us the reason why he is the only available Leader. Is there a problem? Has the hon. Majority Leader asked for permission to do something? Or is there any reason why he is the one doing it? Or it is just because he is available? Is that how we should take it?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Yes, hon.
Member for Nkawkaw and Deputy Chief Whip for the Majority?
Mr. Okerchiri 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon.
Majority Leader is accompanying the Speaker and His Excellency the President to a function at Akwapim Ridge and therefore he cannot be here.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
Hon. Member, go ahead; I have given you the
permission to read the Business Statement.
Mr. Okerchiri 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker -- [Interruption.]
Mr. E. K. Salia 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
heard my hon. Colleague, the Member for Nkawkaw describe himself as the “available Leader.” Is it in our usage here?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:05 a.m.
As I said,
I have already given him the permission. I am not here to explain what is “available”. I did mention his title as the hon. Member for Nkawkaw and Deputy Chief Whip for the Majority and it is in that capacity that he is addressing the House.
Mr. Salia 10:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, can he
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
I am not
asking him to withdraw. Let him continue. Yes, hon. Member, go ahead.

Mr. Kwabena A. Okerchiri (on behalf of the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee): Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 2nd February 2006 and arranged Business of the House for the Fourth Week ending Friday, 10th February 2006.

M r. S p e a k e r, t h e C o m m i t t e e accordingly presents its report to this honourable House as follows:

Arrangement of Business

Questions

Mr. Speaker, the Committee has scheduled eighteen (18) Questions to be answered by various Ministers of State during the week.

The details are as follows:

No. of Question(s)

i. Minister for Health 5

ii. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning 4

iii. Minister for Ports and Harbours 2

iv. Minister for Tourism and Modernisation of Capital City 2

v. Minister for Road Transport 5

Total Number of Questions 18

Statements

Mr. Speaker may allow statements which have duly been admitted to be made on the floor of the House.

Bills, Papers and Reports

Mr. Speaker, Bills, Papers and Reports may be presented to the House for consideration and those which have already been presented may be taken through the various stages of Passage. Motions and Resolutions

Mr. Speaker, motions may be debated and the appropriate Resolutions taken where required.

Mr. Speaker, the debate to thank His Excellency the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to this honourable House on Tuesday, 31st January 2006 has been programmed for the week.

Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee wishes to remind Sub-Committees of the House Committee to present their inputs/ reports so as to enable a date to be fixed

for a meeting of the House Committee.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160 (2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this honourable House the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

Questions --

Minister for Health 280, 281, 282,

283 & 285

Motions --

Adoption of the Reports of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the following:

(i) Internal Revenue (Amendment) Regulations, 2006 (L. I. 1819).

(ii) Income Tax Rates (Amend- ment) Regulations, 2006 (L. I.

1821).

(iii) Internal Revenue (Amend- ment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2006

(L. I. 1821)

Committee Sittings.

Questions -- Minister for Finance and Economic Planning 174, 231, 232 & 233

Motions --

(a) That this House thanks His Excellency the President for the Message on the Stage of

the Nation which he delivered to this honourable House on Tuesday, 31st January 2006.

Commencement of Debate

(b) Second Reading of Bills

Subvented Agencies Bill

Committee Sittings.

Questions

Minister for Ports and Harbours

- 213 & 255

M i n i s t e r f o r To u r i s m a n d Modernisation of Capital City -

167 & 215

Motions--

That this House thanks His Excellency the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to this honourable House on Tuesday, 31st January 2006.

Continuation of Debate.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Road Transport 160,

161, 194, 195 & 196

Motions --

That this House thanks His Excellency the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to this honourable House on Tuesday, 31st January 2006.

Continuation of Debate.

Consideration Stage of Bills

Subvented Agencies Bill

Committee Sittings.

Mr. Speaker, once again, on behalf of the hon. Majority Leader and Chairman of the Business Committee, I beg to present the report of the Business Committee on the Business Statement for the Fourth Week ending Friday, 10th February, 2006.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Thank
you, hon. Member for Nkawkaw. Hon. Members, that is the proposed Business for the coming week and it is for your consideration. Are there any comments thereon?
Mr. S. K. Balado Manu 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise to observe that there are very serious and critical issues confronting hon. Members of this House and I would have liked to see a schedule for Committee of the Whole meeting. That is missing and I would like to draw the attention of the Business Committee -- If it is not too late maybe, they will have to consider and slot it somewhere because it is quite urgent, in my view.
Mr. Doe Adjaho 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
But hon. Member, I think you are a member of the
Business Committee?
Mr. Adjaho 10:15 a.m.
That is why I am saying that we were supposed to meet some time this week but it was not possible.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
It was not possible?
Mr. Adjaho 10:15 a.m.
Actually, we pro- grammed it for today but because of the funeral that the Leadership has to attend at Amanokrom. I share the sentiments he has expressed that we should find a place for the Committee of the Whole to discuss these matters because it was also predicated on certain assurances that the hon. Majority Leader gave to this House before we went on recess that by the end of December -- So I think that we should find a place for it. In any case, the Business Committee's proposal is subject to the approval of the House, so we can always insert anything on the floor of the House.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
Yes, hon. Member for Nkawkaw, your attention is being drawn to that. Therefore, maybe, you have to relate the message to the Chairman and for that matter the Business Committee, so that they could find time for that meeting.
Mr. Okerchiri 10:15 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if you look at the explanatory memorandum to the Business Statement, item number 3, it talks about the sub-committees of the House meeting to present their reports so as to enable a date to be fixed for the meeting of the House Committee.
Mr. Speaker, it was decided that when the House Committee has really met and the issues or the concerns of people - Then we could schedule a meeting of the Committee of the Whole. By that time, they would have collated the reports and the concerns so that when we meet at the Committee of the Whole, it would be
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:15 a.m.
There is no need to haggle over this. Draw the attention of the Business Committee and particularly you and the Deputy Minority Leader who happens to be a member to it. Because if there is the need for the Committee of the Whole to meet, I think you should better schedule it and let it come on quickly. I think that should be alright.
Mr. Kwabena Okerchiri 10:25 a.m.
Well Mr. Speaker, as you have directed, I will call the attention of the hon. Majority Leader to that respect.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Fair enough. Any other comments on the proposed Business for the Week?
Mr. Ibn Mohammed Abass 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, a fortnight ago, I submitted an Urgent Question to the hon. Minister for the Interior to inform this House on the public safety situation in Bimbilla. I thought that the Business Committee would schedule it for next week but I have not seen it and I would want to crave your indulgence so that the Business Committee would see this as a matter of urgency to bring it up for discussion.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. Member, do you have anything you would want to say about that?
Mr. Okerchiri 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I will duly communicate it to the hon. Majority Leader and the Business Committee.
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have consulted the hon. Minority Chief Whip (Hon. John Tia) who was at the Business Committee meeting and given
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Tuesday? I said you should put your heads together and fix it -- [Interruption.]
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, Tuesday for the Committee of the Whole - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
It will be easy to come across - [Pause.]
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, Tuesday for the Committee of the Whole. As for the House Committee, there are a lot of sub committees so they can do their work. But Tuesday - [Interruption] - Wednesday?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Agree on it and announce that to the House.
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Deputy Minority Whip has agreed on Wednesday and we are prepared to compromise on that.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Fair enough. The consensus is that on Wednesday there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting.
Mr. Okerchiri 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, that is so.
Mr. Edward Salia 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have a major concern about the speed at which Questions posed are answered - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
You are worried about what?
Mr. Salia 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the scheduling of Answers to Questions by hon. Ministers. There are some Questions that have been asked for more
than six months and they have not yet been answered. As happened yesterday, by the time the Answers are given, the Questions that were asked become outmoded or outdated. And I would think that it is necessary for us to speed up the answering process so that the relevance of the Questions can be maintained.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon.
Member, do you want to say something about that? The hon. Member is expressing concern over time for Questions to be answered so that those Questions may not be stale. I think that this has been a problem with the House considering the number of Questions that hon. Members submit. But can you say anything about that?
Mr. Okerchiri 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I can only
say that with alacrity I would convey this to the hon. Majority Leader.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon.
Members, any other comments on the proposed Business for the Week? - [Pause] -- In the absence of any other comments and amendments thereon, we will adopt in principle the proposed Business for the week subject to changes as and when necessary. We move on - [Interruption.]
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon.
Member, do you want to make a Statement?
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Could
you speak a little louder, Hon. Deputy Minority Leader?
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am craving
your indulgence under the Standing Orders of the House and to raise a matter of privilege, but I am not pursuing it to its logical -- But I would just want it to be corrected --
“NDC Thugs storm Parliament, Police pick three over guns.”
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Order!
Order!
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in any
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
The
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, for the
education of those who are not aware of our Standing Orders, I refer to Standing Order 30 (h), and it reads:
“. . .publication of false, perverted, misleading, distorted, fabricated or scandalous reports, books or libels reflecting on the proceedings in Parliament.”

Mr. Speaker, I do not want to believe

that the newspaper is creating the impression that the ordinary citizens of this country who were in the public gallery to listen to proceedings yesterday are thugs - [Uproar] -- ordinary citizens of this country who were allowed by Parliament to enter the gallery yesterday are thugs.

Mr. Speaker, I am saying that for very

good reasons; and this is not a matter I would want to pursue to its logical conclusion. But Mr. Speaker, if people insist, I have the right under the Standing Orders to so request and in doing so - [Uproar] -- I am aware of your special interest in this newspaper and I am saying that you did not write it. But I am also aware of your personal interest.

But Mr. Speaker, we should put that
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon. Deputy Minority Leader, I think you are doing your duty and if there is any legitimate concern you are expressing and there is a motion you would want to move, or the report you would want to give, or petition you would want to encourage, please, feel free to do so and do not - [Interruptions.]
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would

Mr. Speaker, we know the rules of the

House and I can decide to ask you to refer this matter to the Privileges Committee, but in this instance we would want the report to be corrected.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Hon.
Deputy Minority Leader, I believe it is within your rights to ask for any matter
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is not
the first time I have risen on the floor of this House to ask that a matter be corrected. I am saying and I would want to repeat that I do not want this matter to be referred to the Privileges Committee as at now. But I would want this publication to be corrected; for very good reasons I do not want it now, I would want it to be corrected.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:25 a.m.
Very well,
hon. Members, that is the request the hon. Deputy Minority Leader has put before this House. It is the Chair's discretion that I will draw the attention of the Editors and so on to the concerns that you have raised; and if there is anything to be done, why not?
Mr. Adjaho 10:25 a.m.
Thank you very much,
Mr. Speaker.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:25 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT 10:25 a.m.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Yes, hon. Gbediame, any supplementary?
Mr. Gbediame 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may the hon. Minister inform us what preparations are involved in the TSDP so that we will be well educated.
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I would wish my hon. Colleague Member of Parliament could rather submit a Question. Mr. Speaker, the Transport Sector Development Programme is the development programme for a period of time by the Ministry and so it is not just a one- stop issue.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
The last supplementary from hon. Gbediame.
Mr. Gbediame 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in that wise, may I know how the Government intends to fund the project.
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, just last December the Ministry concluded its Development Partners' Conference and in that conference we put across the needs of Government for sponsorship by our partners in addition to Government itself
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.


finding ways and means of also providing funding for projects in the country. Mr. Speaker, this is how the funding is going to be both from our partners and from Government sources.
Mr. Gbediame 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have a final supplementary.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Please, go ahead.
Mr. Gbediame 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if May I know when is the preparations; if he can give us the timeframe within which preparations of the PSDP will be completed.
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I should think that by the end of this year we should have finished with the preparations of the Transport Sector Development Programme because we expect that we take off somewhere in 2006.
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, will he be able to tell us how much money has been programmed to do the tarring of the project in question.
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as I stand here now, I am unable to give the cost of the various projects because they are all under preparation.
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we have just heard that the road will not be tarred. Can he assure us that, that particular road will be tarred?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Come again, hon. Member.
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
We also heard in this Chamber that - [Interruption.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
You also heard it in this Chamber formally?
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
No, we heard it; I do not
know whether it is informal or formal but we heard it in the Chamber.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
From which source hon. Member?
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
It came into my ears, I do not know the source -- [Laughter.]
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Fair enough.
Mr. Salia 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I do not know whether he said it or it was somebody else. But what type of surfacing would be done on the road?
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I know my hon. Colleague very well and I would not want to believe that there is any hallucinatory episodes here this morning. Mr. Speaker, I believe very well he has heard me clearly and he never heard me talk about whether the road was going to be tarred or not going to be tarred. But he heard me clearly that this road is part of the programme which is supposed to be done.
Mr. D. A. Azumah 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's response, he indicated that this road is part of the N2. Can the hon. Minister explain to this House what the current status of N2 is? Has it started? Where has it reached and when will it get to Kulungugu?
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, last week I had the honour to answer in the House on a similar Question relating to this corridor and I clearly specified that we are at about Breniase; there is a village near where we have reached and the intention is to continue with the development until we get to the border with our neighbours. However, I am unable, as I stand here now, to tell my hon. Colleague when we will get there. But we certainly will get there.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Yes, another supplementary from hon. Azumah?
Mr. Azumah 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to know from the hon. Minister how long it will take to get there; that is the most important issue. How long will it take to get to the Kulungugu?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
I thought the Answer was clear enough, hon. Member. He says that as he stands here he cannot tell you when. That of course, means that he would also not know the time; or have I got you wrong. If I have got you wrong, ask the question in another form. That is fair enough.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in paragraph 2 of the hon. Minister's Answer, the last sentence, he said, “Spot regravelling works at Pepesu and Salifu townships were completed in July 2005”. Mr. Speaker, I would want to find out from the hon. Minister whether the stretch of the road in the town and the township roads as well - Because there is no such regravelling of the two town's streets. What does he mean by “the stretch - the regravelling of the Pepesu and Salifu townships?” Is it the township roads or the stretch along the road that passes through the town that he is talking about?
Dr. Anane 10:35 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we are referring to a corridor and that corridor has been defined as N2 and we are talking about works that were done on this corridor. This corridor passes through the townships Pepesu and Salifu and the works that were done in these areas on that corridor are what I am referring to.
Alhaji Seidu Amadu 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I want to refer the hon. Minister to paragraph 1.1 of his Answer. I want to find out, in spite of the intervention indicated in his Answer on paragraph 1.1, heavy duty vehicles carrying foodstuffs, particularly yams keep getting stuck on that particular stretch. Is it as a result of poor, shoddy work or what?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon. Member, come again, ask you question again. Are you asking the hon. Minister why the road is deteriorating?
Alhaji Amadu 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am referring the hon. Minister to his Answer in paragraph 1.1, that in spite of the intervention indicated in that paragraph, vehicles plying that stretch keep getting stuck, particularly those carrying foodstuffs to Accra. Is it as a result of shoddy work or what?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Soliciting an opinion is not allowed under our rules. If you would want to put your question in another way, do so; but now I will disallow that.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether he appreciates the strategic importance of getting that trunk road tarred in view of the fact that the best way to decongest the Accra/Kumasi road from vehicular traffic travelling to the North will better be a diversion and completion of the Nkwanta, Bimbilla through Yendi road. I would want to find out from him whether he appreciates that; and if he does, what concrete things would he do immediately to deal with it?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon. Minister, the hon. Member is asking that, to reduce the congestion, would you consider the other side being made; that is what he is asking you.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Well there was a further question. He said that if you do appreciate that, what would you do about that?
Dr. Anane 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, because I do appreciate that we have ensured that it is part of the Transport Sector Development Programme, which is stated in my Answer. In one of my Answers I said our intention is to get to the border with our neighbour through Kulungugu and therefore I do appreciate that.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I would want to ask whether the hon. Minister would assure this House that one of these days in one of his trips to the North, He should consider using that road if he wants to have a better sense of it.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Definitely, I would not allow that.
Mr. Tanko Abdul-Rauf Ibrahim 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer he said that the routine maintenance works from Pepesu to Oti Damanko are being executed by Messrs Samoswag Construction Works at a contract sum of ¢5.22 billion. The hon. Minister failed to tell us how many kilometers it is from Pepesu to Oti Damanko. The question I would want to ask the hon. Minister is, how many kilometers is it from Pepesu to Oti Damanko and how many kilometers of that stretch of road is being spot regravelled?
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Maybe, the Minister you may attempt an answer; he has the facts on that particular question.
Dr. Anane 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure about the exact length. However, the entire stretch is being managed so
that it would be motorable until we take the final action of making sure that we surface them.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
So you cannot be very specific as to the mileage?
Dr. Anane 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Very well.
Rehabilitation of some Roads in Upper Manya Krobo
Q. 155. Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao asked the Minister for Road Transport what immediate plans his Ministry had to rehabilitate the following roads in the Upper Manya Krobo constituency:
(i) Sekesua-Dzaman-Trawa, (ii) Bormase-Esuom;
(iii) Otrokpe-Ahabaso;
(iv) N y a k u m a s e - Akumersu Osonson and;
(v) A k u m e r s u Osonson- Sutapong.
Dr. Anane 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Sekesua- Dzaman-Trawa feeder road is 5.2k m long and is located in the Manya Krobo District. It is partially engineered and serves predominantly farming communities. The road is in fair condition but needs to be rehabilitated.
The Sekesua-Dzaman-Trawa feeder road was among a cluster of roads which were awarded for reshaping in December 2004. The project which was executed by Messrs. Desapcon Limited coast ¢317.9 million. The project which was under GoG funding was completed in May 2005.
Mr. Speaker, the road is partially
engineered and therefore design and engineering studies have been initiated
and are on-going. Mr. Speaker, the studies are expected to be completed by the end of the year and when it is completed we expect that this road would start to be rehabilitated in 2007 under the Government of Ghana funding.
Mr. Speaker, the Bormase-Esuom which is 4.5km long and Otrokpe- Ahabaso which is 5.8km feeder roads are located also in the Manya Krobo District. The roads are partially engineered but provide access to farming communities along the road corridor. They are in fair condition.
Mr. speaker, as I indicated above, because of the need to have them fully engineered these roads are also undergoing studies; studies have been initiated and are currently on-going on these two roads. The studies are expected to be completed by the end of the year. Mr. Speaker, the two roads have been programmed for improvement as part of the studies in 2005 under Government of Ghana funding.
Mr. Speaker, the Nyakumase- Akumersu Osonson feeder road is 7.5 km long and is located also in the Manya Krobo District. The road provides access to farming communities along the corridor. The first four kilometres is engineered and is in good condition while the remaining 3.5km is partially engineered and is in fair condition.
Mr. Speaker, the section within the first 4 km will continue to receive routine/ recurrent maintenance treatment. Design and engineering studies are currently on- going as with the others and are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The links have been programmed for rehabilitation after studies in 2007.
Mr. Speaker, the Akumersu Osonson- Sutapong feeder road is 4.8km long and is located in the Manya Krobo District.
The road which is engineered serves a predominantly farming community and forms part of the Nyankumasi Akumersu Osonson-Nsutapong feeder road. It is in good condition.
Mr. Speaker, the Akumersu Osonson- Sutapong forms part of the Nyankumasi Akumersu Osonson-Nsutapong feeder road which was awarded in October 2004 for spot improvement to Messrs Desapcon Limited at a contract sum of ¢425.9 million The project which was under Cocobod funding was completed in December, 2004.
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Works carried out under the contract were clearing of 4.8km, reshaping of 4.8km and construction of 3No culverts.
The road will continue to receive routine/recurrent maintenance treatment to improve mobility.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Yes, any supplementary question?
Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my first one is in relation to Sekesu-Dzaman-Trawa roads. Indeed, it has been completed up to Dzaman leaving Dzaman to Trawa. May I know from the hon. Minister when that portion would be reshaped?
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned in my Answer, we find the need to engineer these parts of the road in order to make them better and motorable when we even do any rehabilitation works on them. So we have initiated studies. We expect these studies on the cluster of roads in the area to be finished by the end of the year, and hope that we can then do the requisite rehabilitation works.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, please, it was a long Question so you give me time to ask my supplementaries. The next supplementary is about Bormase-Esuom and Otrokpe-Ahabaso road. To the best of my knowledge, as a lay-man, these two roads are in a very poor condition. May I know from the Minister what he means by the roads being in fair condition?
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have had occasion to attend upon this House to define the term. But Mr. Speaker, when I say “fair” it means that one can at least move on this road at 50 kilometres per hour. And if that can be done on a road then that road is in fair condition.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Then again, Mr. Speaker, may I know from the Minister why it is taking him as long as one year or more for the engineering and designing to be done on these short roads.
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I talked about the cluster of roads; we are doing studies on many of these roads. A lot of them even happen not to be access of the feeder roads because they happen to be linked but we felt the need to study them so that we can put in the required needs of these roads that is why it has taken that length of time.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my next Question is on the Nyakumase-Akumersu- Osonson road. May I know from the Minister whether a reshaping of the 3.4km stretch of the roads could be done while we wait for the rehabilitation after the studies are done in 2007.
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, currently, that section is in fair condition. However, if there comes the need for works be done on them, I believe that the engineer in the area will advise us and we would take the requisite action. However, I will take note
of my hon. Colleague's submission.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon. Member, you have exhausted your supplementary questions, so we move on to the next Question.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, please the last supplementary.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
No, you will not be allowed; you have three supplementary questions and you have exhausted them.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
There are various items in the Questions.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Please, these are the rules in the House. Can you go on to ask your next Question then?
Roads in the Upper Manya Krobo
Constituency (Rehabilitation)
Q.156. Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao asked the Minister for Road Transport when the following roads in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency would be rehabilitated:
(i) Anyaboni-Dzogbe;
(ii) Sawa-Lagos;
(iii) Anyaboni-Agajajeter;
(iv) Bisa-Aframase;
(v) Apimsu-Anyesu;
(vi) Sawa-Akorkorma Yiti;
(vii) Gatsunya-Akotoklo Gua
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
The Anyaboni-Dzogbe (4.2km), Sawa-Lagos (3.6km), Anyaboni- Agajajetor(4.15km), Apim-Anyesu (3.6km), Sawa-Akopkoma Yiti (3.7km)
and Gatounya-Akotoklo Gua (2.6km) links are all located in the Manya Krobo District. Mr. Speaker, they are advisedly called “links” and are un-engineered and serve predominantly fishing and farming communities and are in poor condition.
These links are not feeder roads and therefore do not constitute part of the assets of the Department of Feeder Roads. Mr. Speaker, this notwithstanding, because our attention was drawn to them the following actions have been initiated since the end of last year.
Mr. Speaker, the actions are 10:55 a.m.
A survey and engineering design studies are ongoing on all these links and are expected also to be completed by the end of the year and to surmount the other studies that are being done in the district.
The links have been programmed for rehabilitation after the completion of the studies in 2007 under GoG funding.
The Bisa-Aframase feeder toad is about 7.15km long and is located in the Manya Krobo District. The road which is partially engineered serves predominantly fishing and farming communities and is also in poor condition.
The road was awarded in September 2002 for rehabilitation to Messrs Makro Services Company Limited at a contract sum of ¢683 million. The project which is under GoG funding should have been completed in May, 2003. The percentage of works completed to date is 20 per cent and total amount paid for work done to date is ¢111.74 million. The works done to date include clearing and reshaping of 7km and construction of 12No.culverts. The project was terminated on 23rd November, 2005 and is being re-packaged for re- award this year.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister said the Anyaboni-Dzogbe,
Sawa-Lagos, Anyaboni-Agajajetor, Apim-Anyesu, Sawa-Akopkoma Yiti and Gatounya-Akotoklo Gua are not roads under the feeder roads network but are just link roads. May I know from the hon. Minister what can be done to put these roads under the feeder roads network.
Dr. Anane 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my Answer, I mentioned that I have taken note and therefore we have to initiate studies on these roads. The fact that we have initiated studies on these roads for them to be rehabilitated implies that these links are now going to be taken up as assets of the Department of Feeder Roads for works to be done on them.
Mr. Kwao 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, currently, there is a major bridge construction on the Gatounya-Akotoklo Gua road. May I know if the Minister is aware since he is classifying that road as a link road and not recognized.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Reframe your question, hon. Member.
Mr. Kwao 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am reminding the hon. Minister that currently, there is major works project on the Gatsunya- Akotoklo Gua road. The hon. Minister is classifying that road as a link road, not recognizing by the Department of Feeder Roads. I asking whether he is aware that this construction is taking place.
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we have taken up these links and we are doing studies on them in order to make them better and motorable. Even as we do our studies, if there are certain measures that ought to be taken, they will be taken. We are taking such measures countrywide.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Your last
supplementary, hon. Member.
Mr. Kwao 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister is aware that funds have already been made available for the Bisa-Aframase road. He told us that the contract was abrogated and so far ¢101.748 million has been spent. Since we still have money for the completion of the project, why is it taking so long for repackaging and re- awarding of the contract?
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the only road we have had to terminate. We have had to terminate several other projects that did not appear to be going on to our satisfaction; and the repackaging and the costing take some time. Therefore, as and when we finish with the works that are expected to be done on this road, it will also be re-awarded at the regional tender board.
Asesewa Town Roads (Rehabilitation
Q. 158. Mr. Stephen Amoanor Kwao asked the Minister for Road Transport how soon the rehabilitation of the Asesewa town roads would be completed to enhance economic activity at the Asesewa market.
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Background: The rehabilitation of Asesewa Town Roads (2km) was awarded to Messrs Stanotech (GH) Limited on 3rd August 2004 for completion on 2nd May 2005 at a contract price of 5.702 billion. The works were progressing steadily until the Managing Director of Stanotech died. At this time, a major part of the project, comprising concrete works had been completed. Overall progress stands at 40 per cent to date.
Current Position: Litigation problems within the company made it difficult
Mr. Kwao 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, there are 2 statements that are contradictory, to me. The first one is, Litigation problems within the company made it difficult for the Ghana Highway Authority to know whom to deal with for the smooth implementation of the project.” Then the next time he says: “A letter received from the Solicitors of Stanotech on 25th January, 2006 named the members of the reconstituted Board of Directors and this paved the way for the project to be terminated on 27th January, 2006.” I thought this had rather paved the way for the smooth implementation of the project, but he is saying it has rather caused its abrogation. May he clarify this for me; I am confused.
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, there is a contract between the Ghana Highway Authority and Stanotech and in the execution of the contract one must be dealing with a party who is known. On the death of the Managing Director of Stanotech some litigation ensued as to ownership, so it was difficult for the Ghana Highway Authority to really know who legitimately to deal with.
However, the road should have been completed on the 5th of May, 2005, and it is still lying down; and that I expect and suppose is the reason why my hon. Colleague sent this Question, to ask when the project was going to be completed. We are also equally disturbed about the fact that the project has not been completed and, therefore, we initiated action to have it terminated. But even in the termination there is the need to deal with the past and the solicitors of the company gave us the body to deal with, and that is what helped us to conclude the termination.
Mr. Kwao 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, only two kilometers of the road network in Asesewa is being done. There are other areas that are not covered, like the Roman Catholic Road, the Bisa Road, the Anglican Road, and the Akohea Road. May I know from the hon. Minister when these areas would be covered in the future.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon. Member, are they part of the Asesewa Road that you are talking of?
Mr. Kwao 11:05 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker. They are all town roads; and only two kilometres has been covered. What about the rest?
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, two kilometres in a town is quite a long stretch, and he would even have noted that the two kilometres is costing ¢5.702 billion. So two kilometres is quite a long stretch. However, if my hon. Colleague is drawing attention to this, which I know we have already been asked about, it is under consideration and it would be considered.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
We move on to the last Question.
Kasoa Township Roads (Rehabilitation)
Q. 159. Mr. Abbey Oppeh asked the Minister for Road Transport whether his Ministry had any plans to rehabilitate the roads in Kasoa township. 11. 15 a.m.
Minister for Road Transport (Dr.
Richard Anane): Mr. Speaker, the Kasoa, a vibrant market town, is situated some 17 km. on the main Accra-Cape Coast Road. The town is bisected by routes N1 (Accra-Cape Coast road, in a west to east direction) and R15 (Nyanyaano- Kasoa-Bawjiase Road, in a south to north direction).
Even though there is no isolated programme at the moment for the rehabilitation of Kasoa township roads, both N1 and R15 are undergoing major rehabilitation works. The Accra-Cape Coast road is under reconstruction and the Mallam-Kasoa stretch has been asphalted and dualised, thereby easing the traffic congestion considerably. The surface condition is very good.
The Kasoa-Bawjiase Road (km 4-14) was awarded to Messrs Bismi Company Ltd. For resealing on 11th October 2004, for completion on 10th July, 2005. The works are behind schedule and the contractor has been granted extension of time to complete the works by 31st January, 2006. The contractor has so far repaired the edge break-ups, patched potholes and primer sealed some sections. The contractor has been warned (on 20/05/05) and 28/09/05) to accelerate progress or have the contract terminated. About 4km of the project passes through Kasoa Township and the road condition ranges from fair to good.
The stretch from km 0-4 of the same road is in good condition and receiving routine maintenance treatment by way
of pothole patching, ditch and culvert cleaning.
The Kasoa-Ashalaja Feeder Road is also being rehabilitated by the Department of Feeder Roads. The contractor who was working on the road was Messrs Saitama Ltd. The contract was terminated on 23rd May, 2005 due to non-performance. The project has been re-advertised for re- ward. Evaluation report on it is ready for approval this month.
The road condition of the 11.5 km Kasoa-Nyanyaano road is poor. 5km of this stretch will be rehabilitated this year. Tender documents are being prepared for advertisement and award and the project is expected to commence in May this year. Meanwhile, potholes on the road will be patched as part of the 2006 routine maintenance programme in order to enhance safety and improve riding comfortability.
After all the above projects are completed; the rest of the Kasoa township roads will be considered in subsequent road improvement programmes.
Mr. Oppey 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, according
to the hon. Minister, Kasoa township would be considered for rehabilitation after Kasoa-Bawjiase, Kasoa-Ashalaja, Kasoa-Nyanyano road projects have been completed. Mr. Speaker, Kasoa-Ashalaja road contract has been terminated. Kasoa- Bawjiase road contract is about to be terminated, Kasoa-Nyanyano road project has not even been awarded. With these developments, does that mean Kasoa township roads would not see the light of the day in the foreseeable future?
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I mentioned
that the five spans of the roads which are all radiating from the Kasoa township effectively constitute part of the township
Mr. Abbey 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, according to
the hon. Minister, the Kasoa-Nyanyano road rehabilitation would commence in May this year. At the same time, potholes would also be patched, but I do not think the contract has been awarded. Does he not think it would be a waste of funds to do the patching since the rehabilitation works would start in May?
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, even as we are
preparing to ensure that certain projects are done, it is necessary to ensure that these roads are kept motorable and for the comfort of the people who live in the area. My hon. Colleague Member of Parliament would not be happy if he has to be moving on a road which would be difficult to move on, even as we are preparing to have it done. So we try to keep it motorable as we prepare towards doing it completely.
Minister for Public Sector Reforms
(Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom): Mr. Speaker, Kasoa is a very important town for those of us in the Central Region and those who cross Kasoa to Central and Western Regions and also on to la Cote d'Ivoire.
Mr. Speaker, what happens around Kasoa, Nyanyano, Bawjiase is also very important to us because of the congestion that comes around the Kasoa area.
So Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister, what the Ministry is doing to ensure that the congestion that presently is around the Kasoa, Nyanyano, Bawjiase area is removed because there are no traffic lights, there is nothing to deal with that particular congestion.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to advice the contractor in the area to stop all of this parking that is going on, on the highway that is already being constructed and which is also adding to the congestion. So Mr. Speaker, we would like to know what the hon. Minister is doing to ease the congestion along this highway that we are talking about here. That is, the Mallam-Kasoa highway but then particularly, the interchange at the intersection of Kasoa, Bawjiase and Nyanyano.
Dr. Anane 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague Member of Parliament and Minister has been very concerned about the Kasoa township and that is why he has had to even raise this here. Mr. Speaker, it is also of major concern to you because you pass there to your constituency and to your hometown. Mr. Speaker, we know it is a very important corridor and that is why that road is being rehabilitated to the level of the Trans-Ecowas Highway; and that is also why the corridor, even as we speak now from Accra to Mallam and from Mallam to Kasoa is being dualized and the intention of Government is to completely dualize from Mallam to Cape Coast.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague also knows that because of the congestion at the Kasoa point, which is a matter of concern, an interchange is to be installed in the Kasoa centre so that it would make it easy for vehicular movement. All these
have been put in place and they would eventually be coming on course and I believe when they are all done you would see that there would be no problem with the congestion. We appreciate his concern, and we would make sure we address them and inform the contractor as well to address the issues that he has also raised.
Mr. Joe Hackman 11:05 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I also realize from Kasoa that since Ghana is a hawking country, the people like to continue to hawk. I have seen the difficulties at Kaneshie where the footbridge does not serve much purpose but rather harbours pick-pockets and other people with questionable characters. I believe that the congestion in Kasoa could be minimized if we had underpass for pedestrians instead of actually having another overhead footbridge that really increases the problems in the vicinity.

Mr. Speaker, I want the hon. Minister to take that into consideration.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
That is not a question, maybe a suggestion. Later on maybe see him and make that suggestion. Can somebody else you have the floor for the last time.
Mr. Rashid Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, from the Minister's Answers, he has indicated that just to construct a 2 km. road cost more than ¢5 billion, I think he quoted ¢5.3 billion or something. I want
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon. Member, are you asking a question relating to the Kasoa road?
Mr. Rashid Pelpuo 11:25 a.m.
Yes, I have travelled on some of the Kasoa roads and I have found that a lot of them being constructed are even beginning to deteriorate even before the time period of guarantee. So I just want to find out what plans his Ministry has, given the fact that to construct a road costs so much to ensure that contractors who do shoddy work are brought to book and made to re-do the roads and perhaps face court sanctions of a sort.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Very well hon. Minister?
Dr. Anane 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ministry is very conscious of the need to ensure that there is value for money for the projects that are currently being carried out. Mr. Speaker, based on that, a ministerial monitoring unit was set up. The monitoring unit has gone round the country, has sent reports, and the reports have been evaluated and some of our staff have been taken out. Mr. Speaker, for one region alone, and for just one of the agencies, three engineers have been dismissed. These are the actions that we have taken.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon. Members, that brings us to the end of Question time. Thank you hon. Minister for making yourself available to answer Questions from hon. Members of this House.
Hon. Members, we now move on to Commencement of Public Business - Laying of Papers.
PAPERS 11:25 a.m.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon. Members, that appears to bring us to the end of Business for the day. I would wish to be advised as to what to do.
Mr. Okerchire 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, having exhausted what is there for us to do and there being two outstanding committee meetings, I move, that this House adjourns till Tuesday, 9 o'clock in the forenoon.
Mr. J. Tia 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I second the motion, subject it being adjourned to 10.00 in the morning and not 9.00 a.m. [Interruption] My Colleague said he was moving that we adjourn till Tuesday at 9.00 a.m. and I said I am seconding the motion, subject to the correction that we adjourn to Tuesday, 10.00 a.m.
Mr. First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
You are therefore moving for an amendment to his motion. Is that not so? Hon. Member, do you agree that it should be 10.00 a.m. instead of 9.00 a.m.
Mr. Okerchire 11:25 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I was overly obsessed by what obtains in the courts.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 11:25 a.m.