Debates of 15 Nov 2007

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10 a.m.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE 10 a.m.
PRESIDENT 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Order! Order! Commu- nication from the President.
“November 14, 2007
Absence from Ghana
Further to my letter dated 12 th November, 2007 on the above-mentioned subject, I now wish to notify you and Parliament that I am unable to travel to Sierra Leone as planned originally.
I would appreciate it if you could notify Parliament accordingly.
Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Sgd.) JOHN AGYEKUM KUFUOR
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF 10 a.m.
GHANA 10 a.m.
SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT 10 a.m.
OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT 10 a.m.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE 10 a.m.
ACCRA 10 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 10 a.m.
CASTLE, OSU 10 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10 a.m.
Mrs. Gifty Kusi 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I stood up earlier but I did not catch your eye.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Right, go on.
Mrs. Kusi 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Women's Caucus met yesterday and it was advertised in the Order Paper but it is not reported in the Votes and Proceedings. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
I wish you take it up with the Clerks-at-Table. If I should go on.
Delegation from South African Parliament
Hon. Members, we have in this House hon. Members of Parliament from South Africa and I wish, on your behalf, to welcome all of them to the House. They are:
Hon. Obed Bapela, Member of Parliament and House Chairman for International Affairs and Leader of
delegation; hon. Ben Martins, Member of Parliament, Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry; hon. Priscilla Themba, Member of Parliament, Chairperson, Select Committee on Labour and Labour Enterprises; hon. M. M. Swathe, Member of Parliament, Member of the delegation. Then we have two officials: Mr. George Mpapele and Mr. Zingisa Cawe.
Welcome to the Parliament of Ghana. We wish you a pleasant and warm stay in Ghana.
Item 3- Questions - Is the hon. Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing in the House?
Question number 952 - hon. George Kofi Arthur, Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:10 a.m.
MINISTRY OF WATER 10:10 a.m.
RESOURCES, WORKS AND 10:10 a.m.
HOUSING 10:10 a.m.
Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing (Alhaji A. S. Boniface) 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with the exception of Kyeikrom (population 600) which has two boreholes, Ahyiam (population 261), Ohenekrom
(population 232), Samfifre (population 186) and Tuntum (population 478) have no boreholes. Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has budgeted under the 2008 financial estimates to provide each of these communities with a borehole fitted with hand pump at a total cost of GH¢6,000.00 (¢60 million) each. These projects would be started in February, 2008 for completion in six months.
Mr. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if the hon. Minister has made any temporary arrangement to provide these communities with potable water before the February 2008 project.
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in terms of providing boreholes we have nothing like temporary. I cannot provide anything temporary. The only advice I can give is for them to boil whatever water they take and then use it.
Mr. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, GH¢6,000 is enough to supply one community with a mechanized overhead water system. Has the hon. Minister made any comparative analysis of that?
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Your question is not a supplementary question; ask another one.
Mr. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whose responsibility it is to repair borehole water systems when they are out of use.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Another question, please.
Mr. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know why the existing borehole at Samfifre has not been repaired for over two years. [Interruption.]
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Order! Order! I give

you one last chance, please.
Mr. Arthur 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, thank you. I am done.
Mr. A. W. G. Abayateye 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the hon. Minister, in view of the mines being the cause of the pollution, what steps has he taken to get the mines to do something about the water situation? It is the Akoti Mines which has polluted the water. What steps has he taken to get the mines to rectify the situation?
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that the mines' operations or activities have led to the pollution of the water, I have said that we are going to provide them with boreholes and probably with water tanker services. We are also inviting the miners because it is their social responsibility -- if one is undertaking any activity -- to also support the people of that community. So in that light we are in discussions with the miners.
Mr. G. Kuntu-Blankson 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may I know from the hon. Minister the agency responsible for the repair of boreholes.
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised he is asking me about the agency in charge of boreholes. Ghana Water Company Limited also provides boreholes. We have Community Water and Sanitation Agency providing boreholes and this is a community. They are in charge and they provide them. It is not free.
In some instances one has got to provide five per cent and then the 95 per cent would be provided; and we give them the borehole. It is as simple as that. It is not my responsibility.
Mr. Kenneth Dzirasah 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has advised through his
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, to come to his point, the agency responsible for repair of boreholes, I think the community is responsible. One, in terms of maintenance when a borehole is provided the community itself is trained - [Interruption.] I will come to his point. This is a prelude to his answer.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Order! Order! Minister, are you an authority on this matter?
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, so I can give a good answer to that. In the course of boiling water it has to go through certain processes and one has to boil it at a certain temperature. [Inter-ruption.] Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to give them the temperature at which the water has to be boiled.
Shortage of Water in Amenfi Central
Q. 964. Mr. George Kofi Arthur asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what the Ministry was doing to solve the acute shortage of water in the constituency as a result of pollution of the streams and rivers by miners.
Alhaji Boniface 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Govern-ment is in discussion with our develop-ment partners to source funding for provision of potable water in rural communities in the Western Region.
Amenfi Central is part of the areas for which the funding for water is being sourced.
Mr. Arthur 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may I know when in the Minister's own presumption these discussions will end and when these projects would start.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, when you get yourself engaged in discussions with development partners, even though you are eager and you set a time for yourself, you are not the main person to determine. We set a time for ourselves, we are very optimistic, we are very sure that come next year we should be able to achieve our set intentions and aims.
Mr. Arthur 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister what type of water system his Ministry has planned for Amenfi Central, whether it is a borehole, hand-dug well fitted with pump or it is a pipe borne water system.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, with modern technology and ingenuity, even if it is a borehole we can mechanise it and give them pipe-borne water. So the most important thing is that we would make sure we get them clean and potable water.
Dr. Ben Kunbuor 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister whether by his answer he is suggesting that the community should continue to drink polluted water until their discussions are concluded.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if my hon. Colleague was with me here I gave the advice that we were going to provide them with water tanker services. So if he is talking of polluted water, I am not going to advise them to drink polluted water; we would be providing water tanker services -- good, clean and potable water.
Minority Leader (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has just said that Government is in
discussion with our development partners. Could he kindly tell us which of our development partners, because there are many development partners. Could he be specific.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we have been having discussions with the Department of Foreign and International Development (DFID) and GTZ - [Interruptions] -- Oh! No problem, I have a report on that. Mr. Speaker, I am on top of my job. [[Hear! Hear!] So he can check with DFID, GTZ and he would be informed. Even with the Danish, we are in discussions with them.
Mr. E. K. D. Adjaho 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has just told the House that they would be providing water tanker services. I want to find out when the water tanker services would start.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Very soon; within the shortest possible time. [Inter-ruptions.] Mr. Speaker, as soon as practicable, I am going to provide that.
Ms. Akua Dansua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
would like to know from the hon. Minister what his Ministry is doing to bring to book mining companies that are constantly polluting water bodies in their areas of operation.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we as a Ministry are having inter-ministerial collaboration meeting with Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines, and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment. At the end of the day we would come out with our decision on the miners. [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker, I cannot set the date or time to evacuate or exit the people. But what I can confirm is that we have this inter-collaborative meetings with the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural
Development and Environment because they have oversight responsibility for those activities.
Mr. Bagbin 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I just want the hon. Minister to tell us the estimated cost involved in the supply of water tankers to the communities.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, for
now I cannot give the estimated cost. I said in my Answer that we were going to give them water tanker services as soon as practicable and therefore I need to come out with the cost. If he wants the cost for each tanker, I am prepared to provide it to the House.
Communities Affected by the Construction of the
Barekese Dam (Compensation)
Q. 991. Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the Ministry would pay outstanding compensation to the communities which were affected by the construction of the Barekese dam.
Alhaji Boniface 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, by Executive Instrument E. I. 23 (2001) - State Lands (Barekese - site for Dam and its catchment area) for Ghana Water Company Ltd. - Instrument, 2001, Government acquired the lands for the Barekese Water Project. No compensation has been paid to the stools whose lands have been affected by the water project.
The Stools include:
(1) Anwoma
(2) Nkonsuotuanu
(3) Sosamo
(4) Asokore
(5) Atene Akotene
(6) Nkwantakese
(7) Maban
(8) Tonto Kokoben
(9) Amisare
(10) Anyinase
(11) Offinso
Mr. Speaker, the Land Valuation Board assessed the full compensation at ¢86,031,257,813.50. In March, 2007 through negotiations, the stools agreed to accept 50 per cent of the amount as full compensation.
Based on this arrangement, my Ministry has been collaborating with MoFEP for the release of an amount of
¢43,015,-628,906.25 (GH¢430,160.00)
to pay the affected stools. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has given an indication to settle the debt within the shortest possible time.
Mr. Owusu-Bio 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister whether the said compensation payment has been factored into the budget to be read today.
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
The Exchequer has agreed and communication had gone on between my Ministry and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. As to whether they will factor it into the Budget is at the discretion of the Exchequer; he has to decide where to source the funds from.
Mr. Owusu-Bio 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister the measures being put in place to curb encroachment in this same catchment area.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
This is not a supple- mentary question.
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Barekese Dam was constructed in 1971. The hon. Minister tells us that it was acquired in 2001. Is it the case that after all this while, that is between 1971 and 2001, the lands had not been properly acquired by Government?
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister said payment will be effected within the shortest possible time, and he could not even tell whether it has been captured in the 2008 Budget Statement. May I know what his “shortest possible time” means.
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, as I am aware, had agreed to pay the money even before the Budget. And so at its own convenience I am sure they are doing everything possible to ensure that payments are effected. Therefore it is something that we need not talk about having been factored into the Budget. It means a provision has already been made for the money.
Alhaji M. M. Mubarak 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, from the hon. Minister's Answer, he is telling us that provision had been made for the money even before this Budget. Yet it is November, the Budget is going to be read today, and the money has not been paid. What does his “shortest possible time” mean for the people of Barekese and its environs?
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I
believe my hon. Colleague knows that “shortest possible time” has a lot of ambiguity. It could be by now, before we leave, probably the Exchequer has already made available the funds. All I have to do is to request for the cheque to be given to
me. So asking of the “shortest possible time”, for me to give him the timeframe is dependent on the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
Dr. Kwame Ampofo 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
the hon. Minister continuously tells us that provision had been made even long before the preparation of this Budget. What then is preventing the payment of this amount if provision has already been made?
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague knows that if I give him the cheque, there has to be a series of documentations that have to take place. It is very simple, this is not cash where you go and take the money; documen-tations have to go through, and at the end of the day there should be something to show that this money has been paid. So telling you “the shortest possible time”, means as soon as the documentations are concluded the moneys will be released.
Mr. Bagbin 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if the hon.
Minister gives money to his colleague Members of Parliament there is likely not to be documentation that he is talking about. It is just personal money that he would be giving to him so there will be no documentation and that kind of thing. It is just personal money. But we are talking about the Ministry and not him.
Mr. Speaker, the Answer given by the hon. Minister seems to be referring to different Instruments; I do not know whether he crosschecked that. The Answer says:
“Mr. Speaker, by Executive Instrument (E.I. 23) 2001, State Lands (Barekese -- site for Dam and its catchment area) for Ghana Water Company Limited, Instrument
2001.”
Mr. Speaker, to the best of my
Mr. Bagbin 10:30 a.m.


knowledge there is no such Instrument. Will the hon. Minister tell us where he is getting this Instrument?
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, that Instrument exists - [Laughter] -- I am prepared to prove it. It exists and I am talking with authority, he knows it.
Nkwanta North Water Project (Commencement)
Q. 1016. Mr. Joseph Kwaku Nayan asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the Nkwanta North Water Project would commence.
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Nkwanta North Water Project is being funded by GOG/DFID at a total cost of GH¢4.4 million. The project is to draw water from the Oti River at Damanko, treat and supply treated water to all communities along the pipeline from Damanko to Kpassa.
Feasibility studies for the project and detailed designs have been completed. Construction activities will begin in January 2008 to be completed in eight (8) months.
Mr. Nayan 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated in his Answer that communities along the pipeline, from Damanko to Kpassa will be the only community to benefit from the project. But the purpose of the project was to eradicate guinea-worm prevalent cases in the communities. Is there any possibility of getting the communities that are not along the pipeline but guinea-worm endemic good drinking water? Because we also have communities that are not along the line but which are also guinea-worm endemic.
Alhaji Boniface 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
the Budget is available now. This is a mutual contribution between DFID and Government of Ghana, which is shared fifty-fifty. And we are saying that all adjoining villages and communities along where the pipelines will be laid will benefit from this programme. But for any other community that is far away, a certain radius beyond what we intend now will have to be budgeted for in the future.
Mr. Nayan 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the communities have to pay a contribution to fund that project and looking at the poverty rate in my area I know it will be difficult for my constituents to pay. Will his Ministry consider waiving that aspect?
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my
hon. Colleague is aware that most of the water that we provide to communities, especially with boreholes, they need to contribute five per cent and the 95 per cent is borne by Government. In his case and other communities that five per cent contribution is normally waived based on the status of that community.
So, if he is talking about the community being that much poor, it is based on the analysis that will be brought forth and then based on that we will waive that percentage. In his case, for now, I believe it has been waived. He has no problem at all.
Mr. G. K. B. Gbediame 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
under the SHEP programme, communities in twenty kilometres radius along the power lines are connected to the national grid. Now, in the Minister's Answer, he mentioned that communities along the pipeline between Damanko and Kpasa. In fact, it is not Kpassa; it ends at Bonache - it is way beyond Kpassa. I want to know from the hon. Minister the radius within
which communities along the pipe- lines will be considered for provision of this facility.
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am
aware of the village he is talking about. It is using names that are very unique that is why we are using Damanko. If he talks of Kpassa it covers a certain radius, I am very much aware of that. If he wants the radius, the technical feasibility - I am prepared to provide. But in providing water the radius for every community should be at least half a mile. Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Question number 1023,
Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso.
Zenu, Katamanso and Kubekro 1 and 2 (Portable Water)
Q. 1023. (Mr.) Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the following communities would be provided with potable water: (i) Zenu, (ii) Katamanso, (iii) Kubekro 1 and 2.
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Ghana Water Company Ltd. is sourcing funds to extend water supply from Ashiaman to Zenu, Katamanso and Kubekro 1 and 2, a distance of about 10 km. Work involved is construction of pipeline at a cost of about
GH¢25,000.00 (¢250,000,000.00).
Mr. Afotey-Agbo 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the hon. Minister if he is aware that in the year 2000 contract was awarded for these communities to benefit from potable pipe water and the contract was terminated by the current Government. I want to know why.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Member, is this a
supplementary question?
Mr. Afotey-Agbo 10:40 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Member, it is not,
ask another one, please. Order! Order!
Mr. Afotey-Agbo 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am
aware that the project in question was awarded by the previous Government but the present Government terminated the contract. Mr. Speaker, I want to know why.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Member, you may
wish to come back properly.
Mr. Afotey-Agbo 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want
to know from the hon. Minister what led to the termination of the contract in the year 2001.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Member, I am
asking you to come back properly. Ask such specific questions, please.
Mr. J. K. Gidisu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would want to find out from the Minister if there had been any earlier contract awarded for the provision of water to these communities.
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I believe my hon. Colleague is trying to reframe what - [Interruptions.]
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Minister, you should not
be distracted.
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I am aware that a contract was awarded and for lack of performance or non-performance the contract was terminated and it was repackaged and that is why it is costing us two hundred and fifty thousand Ghana cedis, that is ¢2.5 billion and we are providing water for them. So there is no problem.
Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the question is when will the communities be provided with potable water. Can he answer that?
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if
she were following me she would have heard me say that we had packaged under the budget of Ghana Water Company Limited a provision of ¢2.5 billion; that is GH¢250, 000.00. And that is meant to provide for the laying of pipes and to provide them with pipe-borne water. As soon as it is laid you will get the water. So it is simple.
Mr. Dominic A. Azumah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in response the hon. Minister intimated that they were sourcing money to extend water supply from Ashaiman. My question is, which water source is there in Ashaiman, where they are going to do this extension? Because from my information, Ashaiman itself has not got water. Can the hon. Minister let me know from which water source they are going to extend it to these villages?
Alhaji Boniface 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my
hon. Colleague will know that we have other water projects under construction. In Accra we have what we call the East and West, we have the Kpone project. It is going to be connected to that, and we are connecting from Ashaiman. What is the problem with it? There is no problem. So once there is a pipeline there we have a point where it will be connected and it will go through.
Alhaji Seidu Amadu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, indeed there is a booster station at Ashaiman that supplies water to Accra and Tema. I want to find out from the hon. Minister, to what extent that this
new distribution line is likely to affect the capacity of Ashaiman to supply regular water to Tema and Accra.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is true
that we need to connect from the booster and, of course with our new pipelines and the projects that are coming on board, it will relieve Ashaiman of any pressure on the booster; it is to take care of that level, and of course, what we are getting from Kpong will also reduce the pressure. So there is not going to be any problem at all.
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Question 1061.
Communities in North Tongu Consituency (Potable Water)
Q. 1061. Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey
asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the commu- nities in the North Tongu Constituency which include Juapong, Dofor Adidome, Volo Podoe and Avedotoe, Battor Vome and Tohers which were guinea-worm endemic areas would be provided with potable water.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Juapong town enjoys pipe-borne water -- [Uproar] -- through Ghana Water Company Limited. Water delivery is satisfactory.
Dofor Adidome, Volo Podoe, Avedotoe, Battor Vome and Tohers, however, are under the Community Water and Sanitation Agency and have been slated to be provided with potable water by drilling a borehole fitted with hand pump in each of the communities at a cost of GH¢60,000 (¢60,million) each. The projects which will begin in March 2008 would be completed by August 2008.
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the communities I have mentioned have several water bodies including the Volta River. I would like to know from the
Minister, why we have to embark upon borehole systems.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we
would have wished to draw water from the Volta Lake. But for now, the funds available to us can provide boreholes to be mechanized for the people until such times that we have enough funds that we can provide water from the lake.
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I believe
the Minister is aware of the simple sand filtration system; a method which is employed at several places including Aveyinor which is providing three districts. Taking the cost of GH¢60,000 per community, assuming there are hundred communities in the area, that will total up to six million. Does the Minister think it is more cost-effective providing water through the borehole system or drawing directly from the river.
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Order! Order!
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, as
men-tioned earlier, I made my Colleague to understand that if I had enough funds, we would have drawn water from the Volta Lake. But for what we are going to get today, the budget available to me can enable me provide for now one borehole each. At least, making that gesture tells you that I have the intention if I have enough to provide you with water.
Mr. Hodogbey 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my last
question is the issue of guinea-worms. Last year, the World Health Organization listed Ghana as the third guinea-worm endemic area. The dry season is coming and Ghana has taken so many loans and grants for provision of water to communities. What is his Ministry doing to avoid areas which are endemic with guinea-worm? What is his Ministry doing?
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
This is not a supple-
mentary question.
Dr. Ahmed Yakubu Alhassan 10:50 a.m.
Mr.
Speaker, I just wanted to find out from the Minister whether GH¢60,000 is actually ¢60 million or the value is not the same in his Ministry.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I wish
to thank my hon. Colleague; it is supposed to be GH¢6,000 and not GH¢60,000.
Mr. Speaker 10:50 a.m.
Question 1073?
Newly-developed Areas in Techiman Municipality (Pipe-borne Water)
Q. 1073. Mr. Simons Addai asked the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what the Ministry was doing to extend pipe-borne water to newly- developed areas within the Techiman Municipality.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
Techiman Municipality and for that matter Techiman is a commercial centre which is growing very fast. The water supply scheme for Techiman is based on surface water from the Tano River supplemented by groundwater. The treatment plant on the Tano River has a capacity of 990,000 gallons/day (4,500 m/3day). This is supplemented with water from three boreholes with a total capacity of 66,000 gallons/day (300 m3/day).
Mr. Speaker, because of the size of the municipality, pipe-borne water does not reach most of the newly-developed areas.
As a short-term measure to have water extended to such areas, four additional boreholes have been drilled at Takofiano, Oforikrom, Kuntunso and Kenten North, all in the Techiman Municipality, to produce about 26,400 gallons/day (1,200m3/day). These boreholes will be mechanized.
Alhaji Boniface 10:50 a.m.


Pipelines would be extended to those areas in 2008 at a cost of GH¢100,000.00 (¢1 billion). The project will take off in February 2008. It is hoped all areas that will be hooked to the system will have potable water.

Mr. Speaker, in the long-term, it is planned to construct an additional conventional treatment plant of 2,366,100 gallons/day (10,755m 3/day) capacity to meet year 2020 water demand which will take care of the growing municipality. The estimated investment of the plant is about $53.5 million. Among other works to be undertaken are:

1. Replacement of transmission lines;

2. Expansion of distribution pipelines to all sections of the municipality;

3. Installation of high lift pumps.

Mr. Speaker, two firms have expressed interest in the above project.

A n A m e r i c a n f i r m , K h a f r a h Engineering and Consultants (KEC) has expressed interest in the execution of the project. KEC is conducting the feasibility study to enable them firm up the funding agreement and the technical proposal for GWCL's review.

Kowi Consultant of Korea has also expressed interest in the execution of the project and are yet to firm up their financial proposal.
Mr. Addai 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know when the boreholes the hon. Minister mentioned would be mechanized.
Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I said
that the boreholes would be provided early part of next year. In February, the construction would begin.
Mr. Addai 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my question is, when would the boreholes that have been drilled be mechanized? The hon. Minister did indicate that some boreholes have been drilled and they would be mechanized. I want to know when.
Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my Answer I said from February, the other boreholes would be provided and the mechanization would take place.
Mr. Addai 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what plans the Ministry has to expand the existing water tank in New Techiman which is also within the Techiman municipality.
Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, can he repeat the question?
Mr. Addai 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the question is, what plans have the Ministry got to expand the existing reservoir at New Techiman?
Alhaji Boniface 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we would be expanding it based on the fact that the lines are constructed. We said we are extending pipelines to newly developed areas. There is no report that the reservoir cannot contain the water to supply the areas and not until we have a report telling me that this is the situation, we do not have the plans now. Whatever plans we have, it is the entire rehabilitation or bringing up a new project altogether which I said would cost us about US$53.5 million. That is what we are talking about now.
Alhaji Collins Dauda 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister has provided in his Answer that an American firm, Khafrah Engi-neering and Consultants (KEC) has expressed interest in the execution of the
project. He goes on to say that KEC is conducting a feasibility study to enable them firm up the funding agreement and the technical proposals for Ghana Water Company Limited's review.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister, if Government decides to execute a project whether it is Government that undertakes the feasibility study or the companies that show interest in executing the project that carry out feasibility study.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Hon. Member, you seem to ask a hypothetical question. Hon. Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, thank you for appearing to answer these Questions. You are discharged.
At the Commencement of Public Business, item 5 - Motion, hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning?
MOTIONS 11 a.m.
- 11 a.m.
HIS EXCELLENCY 11 a.m.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 11 a.m.
JOHN AGYEKUM KUFUOR 11 a.m.
OF GHANA 11 a.m.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS 11 a.m.
AND OUTLOOK 11 a.m.
DEVELOPMENTS AND OUTLOOK 11 a.m.
IN THE WEST AFRICA SUB- 11 a.m.
REGION 11 a.m.
MACROECONOMIC 11 a.m.
PERFORMANCE 11 a.m.
SECTION 11 a.m.
FRAMEWORK FOR THE 11 a.m.
MEDIUM-TERM 11 a.m.
PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LANDS, FORESTRY 11 a.m.
AND MINES 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ENERGY 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY, 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND 11 a.m.
DIASPORAN RELATIONS 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF WATER 11 a.m.
RESOURCES, WORKS AND 11 a.m.
HOUSING 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF 11 a.m.
TRANSPORTATION 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF 11 a.m.
COMMUNICATIONS 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF HARBOURS AND 11 a.m.
RAILWAYS 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF AVIATION 11 a.m.
HUMAN RESOURCE 11 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, 11 a.m.
SCIENCE AND SPORTS 11 a.m.
PTR 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, 11 a.m.
YOUTH AND EMPLOYMENT 11 a.m.
T O T A L 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND 11 a.m.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND 11 a.m.
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF LOCAL 11 a.m.
GOVERNMENT, RURAL 11 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT AND 11 a.m.
ENVIRONMENT 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND 11 a.m.
GARDENS 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY 11 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT 11 a.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF TOWN AND 11 a.m.
COUNTRY PLANNING 11 a.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 11 a.m.
AGENCY 11 a.m.
BIRTHS AND DEATHS 11 a.m.
REGISTRY 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY 11 a.m.
DEVELOPMENT 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND 11 a.m.
GARDENS 11 a.m.
MINISTRY FOR 11 a.m.
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS 11 a.m.
OFFICE OF PARLIAMENT 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR 11 a.m.
JUDICIAL SERVICE 11 a.m.
PUBLIC SERVICES 11 a.m.
COMMISSION 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN 11 a.m.
AFFAIRS, REGIONAL 11 a.m.
COOPERATION AND NEPAD 11 a.m.
GHANA AUDIT SERVICE 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND 11 a.m.
DEPARTMENT 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECTOR 11 a.m.
REFORM 11 a.m.
IRS, CEPS 11 a.m.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION 11 a.m.
COMMISSION ON HUMAN 11 a.m.
RIGHTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE 11 a.m.
JUSTICE 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF CHIEFTAINCY 11 a.m.
AND CULTURE 11 a.m.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 11 a.m.
AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION 11 a.m.
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR 11 a.m.
CIVIC EDUCATION 11 a.m.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 11 a.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION 11 a.m.
GPRS II 11 a.m.
NATIONAL LABOUR 11 a.m.
COMMISSION 11 a.m.
NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION 11 a.m.
GIPC, MINCOM, GSB, FDB, EPA, 11 a.m.
OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT 11 a.m.
MACHINERY 11 a.m.
NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION 11 a.m.
AUTHORITY 11 a.m.
NATIONAL POPULATION 11 a.m.
GHANA INVESTMENT 11 a.m.
GHANA AIDS COMMISSION 11 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF THE 11 a.m.
CIVIL SERVICE 11 a.m.
INTERNAL AUDIT AGENCY 11 a.m.
PENSION REFORM 11 a.m.
DIVESTITURE 11 a.m.
IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE 11 a.m.
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11 a.m.
REGULATORY COMMISSION 11 a.m.
PUBLIC RECORDS AND 11 a.m.
ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT 11 a.m.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES 11 a.m.
ADMINISTRATOR 11 a.m.
DUCTION EXPENDITURES AND 11 a.m.
PROGRESS TOWARDS 11 a.m.
ACHIEVING THE MILLENNI- 11 a.m.
UM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 11 a.m.
SECTION 11 a.m.
CHALLENGES 11 a.m.
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS 11 a.m.
STATEMENT AND ECONOMIC 11 a.m.
POLICY 11 a.m.
PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Order! Order! Hon. Members, order! Hon. Members, in accordance with Standing Order 140 (3), debate on the motion shall stand adjourned for not less than three days; I so order and direct. I further direct that that part of the Budget relating to the Ministries shall stand committed respectively to the committees responsible for the subject matter to which the Heads of the estimates relate for consideration and report.
Item 6 - Committee Sitting - [Uproar] -- Hon. Members, let us have decorum in this House.
Majority Leader (Mr. A. O. Aidooh) 12:57 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, before I move for adjournment of the House, I want to make some few announcements. First is to congratulate the Finance Minister for his very comprehensive delivery of his summary which took close to two hours.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to inform hon. Members that copies of the Budget Statement are ready in the Mails Room. Hon. Members may proceed to take their copies right from here.
Mr. Speake r, i n v i ew o f t he comprehensive nature of the Budget, and in view of very thought-provoking issues raised therein, this Committee
with great foresight programmed that there will be the usual post-Budget workshop at GIMPA from Friday, 23rd of November 2007 to Sunday, 25th November 2007. Mr. Speaker, debate of the Budget has been programmed for Monday, 26 th November. Mr. Speaker, Committee Chairpersons and Ranking Members who are invited to the workshop will be formally notified before that date.
Mr. Speaker, the workshop is to enable hon. Members have the necessary support and tuition, if I may say so, from experts so that those areas of the Budget which must be commended will be done with the relevant information and those areas that must be condemned will also be done in a like manner.
Minority Leader (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 12:57 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, we will not be hearing the Business Statement again since it has already been delivered by my Colleague, the hon. Majority Leader. [Laughter.]
Mr. Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Minority Leader, I have not taken notice of that at all -- [Laughter.]
Mr. Bagbin 12:57 p.m.
That was to be in the Business Statement tomorrow but it has already been delivered by the Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, we have listened with rapt attention to the hon. Minister for Finance and Economic Planning who represents the President here say that the Budget he has just presented is a Budget for bright future. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Speaker, clearly, the focus as we listened to the hon. Minister was more of a propaganda spin than on issues - [Uproar] -- We are prepared to debate the Budget anytime, anywhere, anyday - [Uproar] -- We, however, will listen more to Government and the resource persons at the workshop in GIMPA, and at the appropriate time, we will make known our views.
Mr. Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Order! Order!
Mr. Bagbin 12:57 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I support the motion, that this House do now adjourn till tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker 12:57 p.m.
Order! Order! Hon. Members, please, let us observe
decorum in this House.
Question put and motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 12:57 p.m.
  • The House was accordingly adjourned at 1.08 p.m. till 16th November 2007 at 10.00 a.m.