Debates of 23 Nov 2007

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Hon. Members, we do not have the Official Report for today.
Item 3 - Business Statement for Sixth Week -- Chairman, Business Committee?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Committee presents its report to this honourable House as follows 10 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Question(s)
Mr. Speaker, the Committee has invited five (5) Ministers to respond to various Questions.
The details are as follows:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Trade, Industry, PSD and PSI 5 ii. Minister for Education, Science and Sports 6 iii. Minister for Energy 7 iv. Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines 6 v. Minister for Transportation 9 Total Number of Questions 33 Mr. Speaker, in all, thirty-three (33) Questions are expected to be answered.
Statements
Mr. Speaker may allow Statements duly 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. The House would also continue to consider Bills, Papers and Reports which have already been presented to the House.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr. Speaker, motions may be debated
and the appropriate Resolutions where necessary taken.
Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee wishes to recommend the following time allocations during the discussion of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2008.
i. Majority and Minority Leaders -- 20 minutes each
i i . Seconder of the Motion --
20 minutes each
iii. Other Members of Leadership -- 10 minutes each
i v . C h a i r m e n / C h a i r p e r s o n s and Ranking Members - - 1 0 minutes each.
v. The rest of hon. Members -- 5 minutes each
Mr. Speaker, hon. Members would observe that Business of the House for next week focuses primarily on the Budget Statement for 2008. This arrangement is to enable as many hon. Members as possible to contribute to the debate.
Mr. Speaker, the Committee also proposes extended Sittings for next week and in fact for the rest of the period. Mr. Speaker, this arrangement would also provide ample time for the debate and the Budget approval purposes.
Mr. Speaker, to this end hon. Members are hereby urged to show the usual enthusiasm and commitment during such debates.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform hon. Members that arrangements for the proposed post Budget workshop for Leadership of the House, Committee

[A. O. AIDOOH] Chairpersons, Ranking Members and some selected Staff have been completed. The workshop as previously indicated comes off from Friday, 23rd to Sunday, 25th November 2006.

The workshop is residential and will take place at Capital View Hotel, Koforidua. Participants are expected to arrive at Capital View Hotel, Koforidua for registration and other formalities on the evening of today, Friday, 23rd November

2007.

Mr. Speaker, the Business Committee announced that GIMPA would be the venue for the workshop in the last week's Business Statement. However, certain developments beyond our control have caused the shift in venue. The inconvenience caused to participants is deeply regretted.

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.

Motion --

That this honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2008.

(Moved on Thursday, 15th November 2007 by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu.)

Questions --

Minister for Trade and Industry -- 1129, 1130, 1169, 1238 and 1243

Motion --

That this honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2008.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Education - 957, 976, 979, 981, 983 and 989.

Motion --

That this honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2008.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Energy - 851, 852, 853, 886, 887, 888 and 889.

Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines - 1024, 1045, 1156, 1249, 1269 and 1283.

Motion --

That this honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal
Mr. Speaker, the Committee presents its report to this honourable House as follows 10 a.m.


Committee Sittings.

Questions --

Minister for Transportation - 734,

735, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795

and 798.

Motion --

That this honourable House approves the Financial Policy of the Government of Ghana for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2008.

Committee Sittings.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Hon. Members, that is the Business Statement for the Sixth Week ending 30th November, 2007.
Alhaji Sumani Abukari 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, listening to the explanatory memorandum, I have not heard anything about the Tamale Water Project Thirty-Minute motion that was to have been moved by myself and the hon. Member of Parliament for Tamale South.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Hon. Member for Tamale North, you have made your case; you do not need to debate.
Alhaji Abukari 10 a.m.
I am not debating,
sir; I want to explain why it is so important to us.
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
I will advise you to go to the Business Committee and have it rescheduled.
Alhaji Abukari 10 a.m.
We should see the Business Committee and have it rescheduled?
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Yes.
Alhaji Abukari 10 a.m.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. F. K. Agbotse 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, last week Friday, 28 instruments were laid by the Local Government and referred to your Committee on Subsidiary Legislation. Up till now, five days are gone and we have not got even one instrument. The time is running but without the instruments. I will plead with Mr. Speaker to ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to come and withdraw the instruments until they are ready; otherwise, time is running and I do not want us to be accused of not doing our work.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Member for Ho West, are you the Chairman of the Committee?
Mr. Agbotse 10:10 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Then you can take the appropriate steps, can you not?
Mr. Agbotse 10:10 a.m.
All right, thank you,
Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Alfred Kwame Agbesi 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the Chairman

of the Business Committee who is also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs -- Under article 34 of the Constitution, clause 2, the President is to report to Parliament on a number of issues. Having read the Business Statement for the week and knowing the Parliamentary calendar, the year is about to end but the Chairman of the Business Committee has not told this House whether that section of the Constitution will be complied with.

Since the year is about to end and I have not heard anything concerning the work that is contained in article 34 (2) and the work of Parliament which is about the end for the year, I want to know from the hon. Minister and the Chairman of the Committee whether this matter is before it.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Member, have you taken this up with the Leadership?
Mr. Agbotse 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yes, I talked to my leader.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I concede that compliance of the Constitution is very important and as he knows, this Government is very compliant to the Constitution. The year is about to end and I am sure that before the year ends that Paper would have been laid.
Mr. David T. Assumeng 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am much more concerned about the five minutes allocated to hon. Members of Parliament to contribute on the Budget debate. To me, it is woefully inadequate since the Budget is quite voluminous and we need to contribute a lot on it.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Please, take it up with the Leadership.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it can
be reviewed.
Minority Leader (Mr. A. S. K. Bagbin) 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want the Majority Leader to take the issue raised by the Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee seriously. The instruments, to the best of our information, are not yet ready and they were allegedly laid before the House. Information reaching us has it that even the Electoral Commission was not yet involved in the demarcation of the boundaries of the District Assemblies. And that is why we are raising these issues.
We think the Chairman can get in touch with the Majority Leader but it is important we raise it on the floor for the hon. Minister to take it seriously and get these things rectified as soon as possible. We will prefer that they be withdrawn and when they are ready they will be laid because of the twenty-one day limit.
I think that it is a better thing to do. So it is because of his response that they are compliant that I am reacting to it. The Majority Leader says they are compliant to the law and that is why I am raising it.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we both discussed this matter with the Chairman yesterday and we do agree that time is running; it comes into effect after 21 days and so there is urgency about it but we will not at this point ask that it be withdrawn. The hon. Minister is here and I am sure he is hearing us and maybe he may say a word or two but I am sure that very soon they will deliver it to the Committee.
Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want your guidance on this matter because it seems to be a very novel situation we are experiencing, whether with an unavailable Paper that is laid, time begins to run in relation to the 21-day rule.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes - [Interruptions.]
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, time begins to run when a Paper is laid. It is not the best that we have not got the document but for our purposes, time begins to run when the documents are laid and not when they are distributed.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Members, this is a matter which can easily be resolved outside Parliament with my assistance. I will do so.
Mr. Bagbin 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think that the response from the Majority Leader begged the issue. The issue is that if the document is not ready, can it be laid? It cannot be laid; that is the issue he has raised. Now, if a document is laid when it is ready and available to be laid as a document, then when a document is not ready, it cannot be laid. It is when it is ready that it is laid and later on distributed. But the information is that the document is not ready and therefore it cannot be laid, that is the issue. If it is ready, show us a copy.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Member, this is not the time for debate.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the document was physically shown to me - [Interruption.] It has been laid and time is running.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Item 4 -- Question 736.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:10 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Zigah 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he said the contract was awarded in 2003 at the cost of ¢3.1 billion and reawarded in 2006 at the cost of ¢13.4 billion. With the stable economy in this country, can the hon. Minister explain to this august House the huge sum difference in the award of the contract?
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, from 2003

to 2006 is a difference of three years. So definitely, some deterioration might have further taken place and other inflationary factors and cost of fuel and other things could have come into play.
Mr. Zigah 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the main
objective of the Diamond Cement Road was to transport heavy raw materials and the final product to other parts of the country. May I know from the hon. Minister what mechanisms were implored with reference to the geologic features and the axle load during the construction of the road.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I will find out more about this and report.
Mr. Zigah 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am a
member of the Select Committee on Road Transport. We have travelled almost the whole country inspecting road works. The Diamond Cement Road had gone bad the very month the road was completed. (Reference: Daily Graphic publication of 1st August, 2007). Can the hon. Minister ask the contractor, Messrs Raja Trading Limited to go back to site and do the proper job?
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would
find out details about the allegation he is making and if it is true, we will know what to do.
Mr. Bagbin 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the road in question is 5.6 kilometres long and an amount of ¢354 million has been paid to the first contractor. Now, another amount of ¢13.5 billion has been paid to the second contractor. Is it true to say that we have spent a total of ¢13.854 billion on this 5.6 kilometre road just on surfacing?
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, from the figures that is what it means because the first contractor was paid ¢354 million. And the figure now says that the contract was finally completed at ¢13.5 billion. So, I think the hon. Minority Leader's figure
is correct.
Madina Roads
Q.745. Alhaji Amadu Sorogho asked the Minister for Transportation when would roads in Madina, which were mostly deplorable, see a major facelift to befit Madina as the Commercial Capital of the newly created Ga East district.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the road network in Madina forms part of the Ga East District road network. The develop- ment, management and main-tenance of the Madina road network is being done with the other communities that constitute the district in mind. There is the need to ensure equity and fairness in the development of roads in the district.
Currently, the Department of Urban Roads is carrying out routine maintenance works on the road network as well as the following periodic maintenance road projects which are ongoing at Madina:
Resealing of Selected Roads in Madina and Atomic Main Road, a Total of 5 km.
This project was awarded in June 2006 to Messrs Tormat Limited but he failed to execute the project. The contract was then terminated and reawarded in July 2007 to Messrs Facol Roads Limited, the second lowest evaluated bidder at a contract price of GH¢121,561.64 for completion in October 2007. The contractor is yet to respond to the acceptance of his offer in view of the time limit.
But as soon as this Question was tabled, we contacted the contractor and he said he will soon come and sign the offer. But if he does not, at least by the end of this year, we will be forced to terminate and reaward the contract.
The second road -

Partial Reconstruction of Madina New Road

This is a 1.6 km road awarded in July 2006 to Messrs Agyakot Limited at a price of GH¢201,848.38. The expected date of completion was January 2007. To date 63 per cent of the work is completed. The project is well behind schedule and warning letters have been issued to the contractor. The project shall be terminated if the contractor does not heed the warning to return to site and reawarded in the first quarter of 2008.

Partial Reconstruction of Ritz Junction (Madina-Agboba Road)

This 2.5 km road was awarded in November 2006 to Messrs Fekams Limited at a price of GH¢254,239.60. The project was completed on schedule in July 2007 and is now in its maintenance liability period of 6 months before the final inspection and handing-over.

Partial Reconstruction and Drainage Works of Dome Bypass (1.8km) and Coleman Bakery Road-Madina (2.5 km)

This project was awarded in June 2005 as part of the RSDP of the MOT to be completed in 18 months. To date 92 per cent of the work is completed. However, the project is behind schedule and the outstanding work is the second sealing of the Coleman Bakery Road.

A final warning letter was issued to the contractor and if he does not heed to the warning the contract shall be terminated and reawarded for completion in the first quarter of 2008.

Safety Improvement Scheme at Agbogba and Madina

This contract was awarded to

Messrs Geodomi Limited at a price of GH¢137,662.98 and the contractor is currently on site.

The contract was awarded in July 2007 and it is expected to be completed in November, 2007.

Future Programme

The DUR shall continue routine maintenance of pothole patching, grading and gravelling in the coming years.

The Rehabilitation of the sections of the road networks shall be carried out as funds become available.
Alhaji Sorogho 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am
happy the hon. Minister himself stays in Madina and also has his business concern in Madina. I would want to find out from him whether this paper which was prepared for him, he himself believes that what the paper is saying is true, taking cognizance of the fact that he himself stays in Madina and just in front of his house all the roads there are in a very deplorable state. I would want to find out from him.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have enumerated those works we are doing. The hon. Member knows that we cannot do all the roads at the same time. But as I indicated, when funds are available, we would do the other roads.
Alhaji Sorogho 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would
want to find out whether the answer he was giving is different from the answers provided for us, because with regard to the safety improvement schemes, he mentioned a date -- July 27.
Mr. Speaker, the Answers given and
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is true that this additional information was not included. In fact, I put this Question to a critique and I found out that my men did not supply the date of award and date of completion. I got that information and I thought it was worth mentioning it to the House.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Hon. Member, your
last question.
Alhaji Sorogho 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, if you
go back to my Question very well and examine it, the Question was “To ask the hon. Minister when roads in Madina which are mostly deplorable would see a major facelift to benefit Madina as the commercial capital of the newly created Ga East District”.
Mr. Speaker, if you go back to the hon. Minister's Answers, you would realize that in all the four projects that he mentioned, he says the contractors are behind schedule and either they are to be terminated or to be warned -- in all of them -- and all these contracts have taken two to three years. I would want to find out from the hon. Minister - With the ever-increasing prices of building materials and road construction materials, how are we going to get money to do quality work since all these projects are one and a half years, two and a half years behind schedule? I would want to find out from the hon. Minister.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I hope the
hon. Member would agree with me that the Ministry is making an effort to do some of the roads in Madina. If his Questions were put and I could not cite samples of roads within his constituency, then he
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Enchi-
Dadieso road lies in the Aowin Suaman District in the Western Region. Enchi- Dadieso road is yet to be programmed for tarring. The road is made up of Enchi- Kramokrom (N12) and Kramokrom- Dadieso (R129). Meanwhile a contract was awarded to Messrs Akotia Ltd for routine maintenance work on the road at a cost of GH¢166,770.00.
T h e c o n t r a c t o r h a s h o w e v e r discontinued work due to heavy rains after grading only 15 km and has since not returned to site. It has been arranged for Messrs Trustsam to grade the entire road and work is currently ongoing. Meanwhile nothing has been paid so far to Messrs Akotia Ltd.
The road will be programmed in future for tarring when funds are available.
Mr. Ackah 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister's Answer says that the road would be programmed for tarring in the future. Mr. Speaker, the road in question is one of the few trunk roads linking the west-north to the south and it is always patronized by heavy articulated trucks and heavy trucks like timber trucks carting economic goods to the harbour at Takoradi and therefore they always render the road almost inmotorable when it rains. The hon. Minister is saying that the road would be programmed for the future. How soon is the future he is referring to?
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with
the fact that the road is very important and it is one of the trunk roads. But the hon. Member would also agree that as a nation, sometimes we are inhibited by the lack of funds. So for me to say what the future is and when the money would be available, I may be telling lies to him. But I am promising the hon. Member that when funds are available we would do the road.
Mr. Ackah 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon.
Minister's Answer indicates that the first contractor, Messrs Akotia Limited abandoned the work because of heavy rains. I would want to find out from him, in the interim, what prevents the Ministry from regravelling the whole road so that at least the lifespan can be extended because of the way the articulated trucks destroy the road due to this routine maintenance of grading.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is an issue that we would have to look at.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Question number
Mr. Alex Kyeremeh 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member is not available and he has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Please go ahead.
Kintampo-Anyima and Kintampo Agyegyeamakunu Feeder Roads
Q. 785. Mr. Alex Kyeremeh (on
behalf of Mr. Yaw Effah-Baafi) asked the Minister for Transportation what measures the Ministry was putting in place to regravel portions of the Kintampo-Anyima and Kintampo-Agyegyeamakunu feeder roads which are virtually unmotorable during the rainy season.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Kintampo-
Anyima feeder road is 22 km long and is located in the Kintampo North District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Current Programme
The Kintampo-Anyima feeder road was awarded for rehabilitation on the 5th of October this year at a contract sum of ¢7.9 billion.
The project is to be executed by Messrs Sarduana Limited.
Documentation for the signing of the project is currently ongoing and the project is expected to commence by the end of November this year.
The project will take eighteen months to complete.
Kintampo-Agyegyeamakunu
Background
The Kintampo-Agyegyeamakunu feeder road is 17 km long. The road is engineered and is located in the Kintampo South District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Current Programme
The Kintampo-Agyegyeamakunu feeder road was awarded for reshaping together with other roads totalling 98 km in January 2007. The project was completed in September 2007 at a cost of ¢252 million.
The project was executed by Messrs Gyacken Royal Enterprise.
Future Programme
Regravelling of sections of the Kintampo-Agyegyeamakunu feeder road has been programmed for in 2008 to address the slippery sections on the road depending on the availability of funds.
Mr. Kyeremeh 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister whether he is aware that although a whopping sum of ¢252 million has been spent on this road, the road is still unmotorable.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is true; some works would have been done on the road, but with the advent of the heavy rains that we experienced it is likely some sections could have deteriorated.
Mr. Kyeremeh 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would
like to know from the hon. Minister, what are the immediate measures to help to alleviate the suffering of the people of the area from this rough road?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have said
that into next year we would be trying to regravel the road.
Yeji-Kpua-Buma Road (Rehabilitation)
Q. 786. Mr. Baba Abdul-Rahman Masoud asked the Minister for Transpor- tation when the Yeji-Kpua-Buma road would be rehabilitated to link the area to the district capital, Yeji.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Yej-
Kpua-Buma feeder road is 30 km long. It is an-engineered and is located in the Pru District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
Engineering studies will be carried out on the road in 2008 and based on the outcome of the studies and availability of funds the necessary interventions will be carried out. Prang-Abease -Kintampo Road (Tarring)
Q.787. Mr. Baba Abdul-Rahman Masoud asked the Minis te r for Transportation when the Prang-Abease- Kintampo road would be tarred.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Prang- Kintampo road starts from the Pru District and borders the East Gonja District. It passes through the Kintampo South District and then finally to the Kintampo North District. The project is being pro- grammed for surfacing in phases.
Prang-Kintampo is part of IR9 and is 99 km. 94 km is gravel and 76 km is in good condition, 18 km is in fair condition.
The Tarring of the Prang-Abease- Kintampo section has started from the Kintampo end with the upgrading of 5 km being executed by Messrs Vision Construction Limited. The contract was awarded on 17th September, 2004 and was scheduled for completion on 30th March, 2006. Progress to date is 82 per cent.
The activities that have been completed include clearing, earthworks and subbase works. Laying of base course is 85 per cent completed and primer-sealing which is ongoing is 15 per cent completed.
The project has delayed due to difficulty
in locating a source of good gravel material for base course and also financial difficulties as a result of delay in payment for work done.
Mr. Masoud 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the hon. Minister, what is the cost of the project awarded to Messrs Vision Construction Limited?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the figure is
not immediately available. I would find out and inform the hon. Member.
Mr. Masoud 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to
find out from the hon. Minister whether he really knows the road, because all the issues he has just raised, they look strange, because no work has actually been done there. So I want to know whether what he is telling me, he really knows what he is talking about.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, this is
information I have received from my men on the ground and I want to believe they have told me the facts. But once he has raised this I would find out and then inform the hon. Member.
Karaga Town Roads (Tarring)
Q.788. Mr. Dawuda Iddrisu asked the
hon. Minister for Transportation when the
Karaga town roads would be tarred.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Karaga
town roads are located in the Karaga District of the Northern Region. The roads in the Karaga town have been programmed for tarring in stages.
Stage one contract which involved drainage and subbase works was awarded in April 2004 and completed in July 2005 at the cost of ¢3 billion.
The project was executed by Messrs Alhaji Tanimu Dapore Enterprise.
Current Programme
The second stage contract which involves laying of base and application of bitumen was awarded in December 2006 at a contract sum of ¢5.5 billion.
The project is about 45 per cent completed and is being executed by Messrs I.B. Maigida & Partners Limited.
Works completed to date are: construction of trapezoidal drains and laying of base material. The contractor is yet to put in claims for works done to date.
The project is expected to be completed in August, 2008.
Ekye Amanfrom Total Filling Station- Agroso Trebu-Gadorkope Roads
Q. 789. Mr. Raphael Kofi Ahaligah
asked the Minister for Transportation what steps the Ministry was taking to construct the road from Ekye Amanfrom Total Filling Station to Agroso Trebu to Gadorkope and its surrounding villages.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ekye
Amanfrom Total Filling Station to Agroso Trebu-Gadorkope and its surroundings are located in the Kwahu North District of the Eastern Region.
Current Programme
The Ekye Amanfrom Total Filling Station to Agroso Trebu-Gadorkope and its surroundings together with other roads totalling 75 km were awarded for routine maintenance in June 2007 at a contract sum of ¢1.5 billion.
The project which is being executed by Messrs 48 Engineer Regiment is expected to be completed in December 2007.
The project is about 35 per cent completed and payment to date is ¢274 million.
The project is behind schedule due to slow progress of work by the contractor. The contractor has been warned to expedite progress of work to ensure schedule completion of project.
Future Programme
After the completion of the ongoing contract the roads will be programmed for spot improvement based on the availability of funds.
Mr. Ahaligah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised the hon. Minister, in his Answer to my Question, said work has started on the road and that 35 kilometres has been constructed. I have just spoken to somebody who lives near the construction site and he said nothing is taking place. What has he got to say about that?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I thought
the hon. Member would have said he had been there and nothing has happened; but somebody just telling him, I think it is a hearsay. But I also think that there are lot of processes that constructional works go through. So maybe, he would need to come to the office and we can talk together.
Mr. Ahaligah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would
oblige.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
But this is not a question.
Hon. Minister for Transportation, thank
you very much for appearing to answer these Questions.
Yes, Minister for Education, Science
and Sports?
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, 10:50 a.m.
SCIENCE AND SPORTS 10:50 a.m.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's Answer, he noted that Government every year makes provision for equipping science laboratories in senior secondary schools, and that Asukawkaw Senior Secondary School in Krachi District will be considered alongside other schools. Can the hon. Minister further explain to us what he means by “in due course”?
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, “in due course” means that as and when funds are provided every year for the equipping and construction of such facilities. Asukawkaw High School, like all other secondary schools will be considered.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister, the criteria used for equipping science laboratories in senior high schools in the country?
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
The criteria depend on the need of the school, the state of the existing facilities and recommendations from the directorates of education as well as the school authorities.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I further want to know from the hon. Minister, whether they take into consideration deprived and rural communities in the provision of laboratory or science equipment.
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the deprived status of the community has nothing to do with the selection, provided the school is in good shape. If the laboratory facilities are all right, and the district is deprived, it does not affect the provision of laboratories. But where the community is deprived and the laboratory facilities are inadequate, we consider it.
Oti Secondary-Technical and Asukawkaw Secondary Schools
(School Buses)
Q. 923. Mr. Wisdom Gidisu asked the Minister for Education, Science and Sports whether the Ministry had any plans to provide school buses to facilitate the movement of students in the following schools in Krachi East District.
(i) Oti Secondary-Technical; and
(ii) Asukawkaw Secondary School.
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is the policy of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports to ensure that all schools have buses to enhance their smooth operation. As part of this policy,
an exercise has been conducted to ascertain the number of schools in need of buses. Mr. Speaker, yes, the Ministry has plans but due to budgetary constraints, the Ministry has phased the procurement of buses and hopes to complete the exercise within two years.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, taking into consideration the need for the schools to go on field trips and other sporting activities, is the two years consideration not too long?
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we think
it is a reasonable time because this is dependent on budgetary considerations.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the
hon. Minister noted that his Ministry has plans to provide schools with buses in two years. Am I to take this as a firm assurance that latest by November 2009, Oti Secondary-Technical School and Asukawkaw Secondary School will be provided with buses?
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we have said that we have a record of all the data about the schools and their needs as far as bus supply is concerned. So we know those we have supplied with buses and those that have not been supplied. And these are the schools we are referring to as having been grouped in phases. So his schools are also included among those to be considered within the two-year period.
Dwamena Akenten Secondary School (Model School)
Q. 925. Dr. Achaw Owusu Duah asked the Minister for Education, Science and Sports when funds would be made available to elevate Dwamena Akenten Secondary School in the Offinso South District to a model school.
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is the
policy of Government to upgrade at least
one senior secondary in each district to a model status. The programme is however being implemented in phases. Phase 1 of the programme has almost been completed. The contract for the second phase of the upgrading programme comprising 25 Senior High Schools have been awarded and works on the projects are at various levels of completion.
Dwamena Akenten Senior High School
may be considered for inclusion in the next phase of the upgrading programme.
Dr. Duah 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, can the hon. Minister give an assurance that Dwamena Akenten will have its portion by the next time when they consider schools for elevation to that level?
Prof. Fobih 10:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the assurance I gave is that Dwamena Akenten like all the other schools will be rated in terms of prioritisation, and it will be considered in the second phase.
Offinso Teacher Training College (School Bus)
Q. 926. Dr. Achaw Owusu Duah asked the Minister for Education, Science and Sports when the Offinso Teacher Training College would be given a school bus to ease the acute transportation problems facing the college.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, all the
thirty-eight (38) teacher training colleges have been provided with 60-seater Tata buses. The Offinso Teacher Training College which is one of the thirty-eight (38) teacher training colleges has therefore been allocated a bus. Additionally, as part of the programme of upgrading teacher training colleges, principals of all the thirty-eight (38) Teacher Training Colleges have been provided with 4x4 Nissan Patrol vehicles.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.


Nyinahin Catholic Secondary School (Model School)

Q. 937. Mr. Isaac Kwame Asiamah asked the Minister for Education, Science and Sports when Nyinahin Catholic Secondary School in Atwima Mponua would be upgraded to the status of a model school.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, again it is
the policy of Government to upgrade, at least, one Senior High School in each district to a model status. The programme is however being implemented in phases. Phase 1 of the programme has almost been completed. The contract for the second phase of the upgrading programme comprising 25 senior high schools have been awarded and works on the projects are at various levels of completion.
Selection of schools for the next phases of the programme will be done when funding is secured. Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School may be selected when the remaining districts are being considered.
Mr. Asiamah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the word
“may” is quite ambiguous. Can the Minister assure the people of Atwima- Mponua that Nyinahin Secondary School will be considered in the next phase?
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would
like to use such a flexible word because apart from the thirty-one schools which were in the first phase and the twenty- five in the second phase, there are many schools in the remaining districts to be considered. So I think I cannot make a committal statement at this point. But it will be considered.
Mr. Asiamah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think
sometimes, we expect our Ministers to be more specific. We have the Assurances Committee here to take them on their word. Mr. Speaker, I still insist that the

Minister should be specific to the House whether he is going to do it or not so that the people will know their position.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Your question, please.
Mr. Asiamah 11 a.m.
I still want a specific
answer from the hon. Minister - a commitment from him.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
This is not a question.
Mr. Asiamah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, what
are the criteria for the selection of these model schools? We are told some areas are getting many and others are not getting one at all. Mr. Speaker, I want the Minister to tell the House the criteria for the selection of these model schools.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, actually, at
the time of the exercise, all the existing districts had their schools selected. So I think what he is asking here is the inclusion in the actual work; and that is what we are saying will depend on funding to really implement the selection programme we have. We have the schools selected all right but we do not have adequate funds to do all of them at once. That is why Government decided that it should be done in phases.
Phase I has been completed and we are moving to the second phase. We are saying that if we get more funds we will then include more schools as we go along.
Mr. Asiamah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he is
talking about the phases. My question is, what criteria determine those phases he is talking about? He should tell us the criteria used in determining those phases.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, even by
listing, some will be number one and some will be number three and so on. So there
is no special way of selection. It is just that the number that we have funds for will be selected by the list we have. That is all.
Mr Asiamah 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am
insisting on that because we know that in prioritization, they take into consideration the most deprived district in the country in terms of educational prioritization. But this is a case where my district is much more deprived. In the whole of Atwima area, none of our schools has benefited. So if that is not the case in terms of prioritization, then the Ministry should sit down and get us the criteria for the selection of the schools.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am saying
that all what he is saying has been done and there is a list we are going by. The list has an ordering. That is what I mean by that. But the prioritization has been done.
Mr. John Tia 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the Minister's Answer, he has stated that 25 senior high schools have been selected for upgrading to model schools and work on them have been awarded. That was the second time he stated it.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister, in order to avoid further questions of this nature, whether he will furnish this House with the list of the selected 25 high schools and then in future, whether he will consider furnishing this House with an updated list any time a selection is made for our information.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
This is a matter of
implementation of our programme. If the House at any point needs that information, we will provide it.
Mr. Tia 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the rules of the
House allow this House to demand of Ministers some kind of assurances. So we want to know from the Minister whether he will consider furnishing this House with
the list of the selected senior high schools any time they do it to avoid this kind of question to him. If the House is furnished with the list, nobody will come with these types of questions. So we will want to know - He should give us his opinion -- whether he will furnish us with the list or we should continue putting to him such questions.
Prof. Fobih 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think
the focus of the question was on those schools that have not yet been selected; it was not on which schools we did select. That is why I am saying that I am always willing at any time if the House requests it to do so.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Mr. Minister, thank
you very much for appearing before the House to answer these Questions. You are discharged.
At the Commencement of Public Business - Item 6 - Laying of Papers.
PAPERS 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker 11 a.m.
Item 7 - Motion, Chairman of the Committee?
MOTIONS 11 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Nii Adu Daku Mante) 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable House adopts the Report of the Finance Committee on the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Fortis Bank of The Netherlands for an amount of one million eight hundred thousand euros (€1,800,000.00) for additional works in respect of Odaw Drainage Improvement Works (Lot 3).
Mr. J. A. Tia 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the amend- ment is so consequential because of the reshuffle in the Cabinet of the President, His Excellency Mr. Kufuor. We have no objection to it and I second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I think that we can adjourn at this stage. I wish to remind hon. Members that the workshop comes off at Koforidua as planned and those who are supposed to be there must be there. The venue once again is Capital View Hotel. Chairmen, Ranking Members and staff who have been invited must proceed to Koforidua this evening.
On that note, Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that we adjourn proceedings to Monday, 26th November, 2007 at 10.00 a.m.
Mr. Tia 11 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Mr. Tia 11:10 a.m.


Mr. Speaker, in so doing, may I present to you, your Committee's report.

1.0 Introduction

The above Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the Fortis Bank of The Netherlands for one million, eight hundred thousand Euros was laid in the House on Thursday, November 8, 2007 and referred to the Finance Committee for consi- deration and report in accordance with the Constitution and Order 171 (1) of the Standing Orders of the House.

The Committee met with the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, hon. Dr. A. Akoto Osei, officials from the Ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment and Finance and Economic Planning to consider the Agreement and reports as follows:

2.0 Background

The Odaw Drainage Improvement Works have been subdivided into three phases. Phases I and II (Lots 1 and 2) were funded by the World Bank and the Agence Francaisse de Development respectively and have both been completed.

The third phase (Lot 3) is being funded with a Dutch Government grant and a loan from Fortis Bank of Netherlands.

This phase involves the construction of 2.75 kilometres reinforced concrete channel from Alajo Bridge to the Apenkwa Overhead, the reconstruction of the Abelemkpe railway bridge and two pedestrian bridges across the Odaw channel.

In September 2003, the Government of Ghana signed a Financing Agreement with the Fortis Bank of Netherlands for ¢9,470,030.00 for part financing of the phase III (Lot 3).

The Government again signed a second agreement with the Fortis Bank of The Netherlands in the sum of €5,199,017.00 to extend the Lot 3 works to cover the construction of an additional 700 metres of the Odaw channel, the construction of 90 metres length box culvert under the motorway extension near Apenkwa Overhead and the construction of a pedestrian bridge between Abofu and Achimota.

Recent assessment of the project conducted by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment showed that the Channel will better serve its objective of flood alleviation if it is further extended by an additional 550 metres to the Taysec Bridge on the Achimota School road. This would help confine the flow of water and reduce flooding of the Abofu village and its surroundings. It is in the light of that the additional 1,800,000.00 is being sought to implement this extension. 3.0 Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of the Buyer Credit Agreement are as follows:

Loan Amount -- €1,800,000.00

Grace Period -- 1.5 years

Repayment Period -- 8.5 years

Maturity Period -- 10 years

Interest Rate -- Eur ibor+0 .5 (4.34+0.5=4.84 per cent)

Commitment Fee -- 0.25 per cent

Management Fee -- 0.5 per cent

Grant Element -- 35.8 per cent

4.0 Scope of Additional Works

Works to be carried out under this agreement include the extension of the Odaw drainage channel by an additional 550 meters to the Taysec Bridge on the Achimota School road.

5.0 Observations

The Committee observed that the total cost of the additional works is €2,500,000.00. The Buyer Credit of €1,800,000.00 will partly finance the works with the remaining €700,000.00 being provided through GoG contribution.

The Committee advised that the Ministry of Local Government, Rural

Development and Environment should collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to ensure that drainage projects are properly synchronized to ensure their effective performance and maximum benefit.

The Committee also noted that the Odaw drainage is choked with silt and advised the project managers to ensure that the project is regularly desilted and cleaned up.

6.0 Conclusion

The Commit tee has care fu l ly considered the agreement and is of the opinion that the additional credit would be necessary towards the successful implementation of the Lot 3 of the Odaw Drainage improvement works.

The Committee therefore recommends to the House to approve by Resolution, the Buyer Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and Fortis Bank of The Netherlands for an amount of one million, eight hundred thousand Euros (€1,800,000.00) for additional works in respect of Odaw drainage improvement works (Lot 3).

Respectfully submitted.
Mr. P. C. Appiah-Ofori (NPP-- Asikumah-Odoben-Brakwa) 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion. In so doing, I want to make a very brief intervention.
This loan is being sought for to complete the Odaw drainage improvement
RESOLUTIONS 11:10 a.m.
THIS HONOURABLE HOUSE 11:10 a.m.
H E R E B Y R E S O LV E S A S 11:10 a.m.
Chairman of the Committee (Nii Adu Mantey) 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.
Suspension of Standing Order 80 (1)
Majority Leader (Mr. A. Ossei
Aidoo) (on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee): Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 80(1) which require that no motion shall be debated until at least forty-eight hours have elapsed between the date on which notice of the motion is given and the date on which the motion is moved, the motion for the adoption of the Report of the Committee of Selection on the Membership of Committees may be moved today.
Mr. K. A. Okerchiri (NPP --
Nkawkaw): Mr. Speaker, I beg to second the motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved accordingly.

Committee of Selection Report on the Composition of Committees

Mr. A. O. Aidooh (on behalf of
Chairman of the Committee) 11:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I beg to move, that this honourable
House adopts the Report of the Committee of Selection on the Composition of Committees.
1.0 Introduction
In accordance with Standing Orders 151, 152, 153 and 154, the Committee of Selection is appointed and mandated to consider the composition of Standing and Select Committees of the House.
1.1 Accordingly, the Committee met on Tuesday, 20th November, 2007 and approved the recomposition of some Committees based on the Majority-
Minority ratio of 59.1 11:20 a.m.
40.9 as approved by the House.
1.2 It has become necessary to recompose some of the Committees because some Chairmen and Vice Chairmen have been appointed Ministers or Deputy Ministers.
1.3 In accordance with the convention of the House the Majority and Minority caucuses presented their proposed lists of membership for the Standing and Select Committees in accordance with the approved ratio to the Committee of Selection and they were discussed and approved.
The new list of the Standing, Select and ad hoc Committees are as follows: Standing Committees
1. FINANCE COMMITTEE
2. C O M M I T T E E O N
GENDER AND CHILDREN 11:20 a.m.
O N G O V E R N M E N T 11:20 a.m.
ASSURANCES 11:20 a.m.
MEMBERS HOLDING OFFICE 11:20 a.m.
OF PROFIT 11:20 a.m.
ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE 11:20 a.m.
ORDERS COMMITTEE 11:20 a.m.
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE 11:20 a.m.
BUDGET COMMITTEE 11:20 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT 11:20 a.m.