Debates of 29 Feb 2008

MR. SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10 a.m.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10 a.m.
Alhaji M. M. Muntaka 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Chairman of the Business Committee why the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment have not brought the formula for the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), National Health Insurance Fund and the District Assemblies Common Fund respectively.
Mr. Speaker, we would soon rise and the first quarter is almost winding up. Are we saying that we are going to allow these people to illegally use the money or tie themselves down and wait till we resume from our recess? I want to find out from the hon. Chairman of the Business Committee because this question was
asked two weeks ago and he said he was going to ensure that they did it. Now, we are left with just about three weeks to go. May I know when this would be done?
Mr. Speaker 10 a.m.
Hon. Majority Leader, do you have any information on that?
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the GETFund went to Cabinet this week and so it would be brought here any time, possibly next week. The District Assemblies Common Fund has been delayed because of the creation of the new districts. But now that we are almost through with it, I am sure we can also have that one next week. I am aware that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is also ready for presentation. Definitely, we shall handle all these formulae from next week before we rise.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I filed a Question as far back as 2007 in connection with the accounts of the World Cup, that we wanted the hon. Minister for Education, Science and Sports to come and render accounts on the amount of monies received from sponsors and the Government and how the monies were used. I have had occasion to raise this Question again and nothing has happened.
On the congestion on the motorway, I took advantage of the vetting to ask the incoming Minister what could be done to decongest the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout and the use of the motorway. The number of exits that we planned long ago had not been addressed and the problems that we have been going through as far as that is concerned is quite serious.
The third one was about payment of contractors. This is because for seven years in my constituency for instance, five contractors have been changed on one project of a short stretch, a ten kilometre

stretch and each time we consulted these contractors, we were told that they had not been paid and that was why they moved away after getting mobilization funds. I do not know why up till now it has not been brought forward for consideration.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Hon. Deputy Minority Whip, you are part of Leadership, so you should be able to resolve this matter without bringing it to the floor of the House.
Mr. A. O. Aidooh 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I have been told that this Question relating to the World Cup was asked with permission in his absence by an hon. Colleague. But in any case, a similar Question was asked yesterday and the other Questions would be programmed as appropriate and I can assure him that we would fast track them as we have done for the hon. Member for Tamale South, hon. Haruna Iddrisu in relation to Question number 1211.
We would fast track the Question for him if we get it; we will see the Clerk and hasten the pace. But the Question on the World Cup has been asked yesterday by a Colleague and answered.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:10 a.m.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION 10:10 a.m.
Minister of State, Ministry of Transportation (Mr. G. T. Bayon) 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Dambai is the district capital of the newly created Krachi East District Assembly located in the Volta Region.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister did indicate in his Answer that before tarring of the township roads begins, Ghana Highway Authority would undertake an inventory of the roads in the town. I want to find out from him when specifically the actual undertaking of the inventory would begin.
Mr. Bayon 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it would be in the course of this year.
Mr. W. Gidisu 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell this House when the actual construction would start?
Mr. Bayon 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in my Answer, I did indicate that the contractor was mobilizing to site. Let me admit that he has delayed in doing that but we are monitoring him and we will advise ourselves on that as soon as possible.
Mr. F. A. Agbotse 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what is involved in the taking of inventory. In construction, what is involved in the taking of inventory?
Mr. Bayon 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, quite a lot is involved in inventory taking because it has to do with even the right of way. If you are to construct a road certain properties may be along the road which the Ministry has to acquire, and after that we also have to do costing of the road and all the things that have to be put into the road, like culverts, drainage and other things. You have to get all together, cost them and come to a particular price.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Question number 885 - hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Member for Tamale South?
rose
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Yes, hon. Member for Bawku Central?
Mr. Ayariga 10:10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, my hon. Colleague is unable to make it here early this morning. He has to consult his doctor and he has asked me to crave your indulgence to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
Do you have full instruction from him?
Mr. Ayariga 10:10 a.m.
That is so, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:10 a.m.
All right. Please, go ahead.
Tamale Metropolis Roads (Reconstruction)
Q. 885. Mr. Ayariga (on behalf of Mr. Haruna Iddrisu) asked the Minister for Transportation when the following roads in the Tamale Metropolis would be reconstructed:
(i) Dohini-Zujung Junction
(ii) Nakpanzo-Kakpagyili
(iii) Manguli-Foshegu
(iv) Bulpela-Naluug -- St. Charles.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, these roads form part of the network in the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly of the Northern Region. They are all unpaved (untarred).
Dohini-Zujung Junction Roads
The Dohini-Zujung community has a road network that is predominantly earth roads. The Department of Urban Roads Unit of the Assembly undertook spot improvement works on this road in 2007 and this has led to opening up of 10 kilometres of the road.

Future Programme

The Department of Urban Roads Unit of the Assembly will carry out an inventory of the road network in the community to enable it start procurement for grading works in March 2008.

Nakpanzo-Kakpagyili Roads

The Nakpanzo-Kakpagyili road links three communities and covers 2.6 kilometres. The Department of Urban Roads Unit carried out reshaping and other routine maintenance works on the road in 2007 at a cost of GH¢34,404.00.

Currently, an emergency drainage contract work on 500 metre section of the road was awarded to Messrs Little Light Enterprise at a contract sum of

GH¢36,000.00.

The contract is for a period of two months. The contractor has vacated the site after excavation works have been carried out. A warning letter has been issued to the contractor to resume work.

Routine maintenance works shall be carried out on the road.
Mr. Ayariga 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in the hon. Minister's written response, he says that in relation to the Dohini Zujung road the Department of Urban Roads has carried out an inventory to enable the start of procurement for grading works in March of this year. But in his oral response Mr. Speaker, he said, will carry out an inventory in order that procurement for grading works would take place in March of 2008. What exactly is the situation on the ground?
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the situation is what is in the Answer, so he should take me for that.
Worawora-Dambai-Krachi Road (Continuation)
Q. 891. Mr. Wisdom Gidisu asked the Minister for Transportation when the Worawora-Dambai-Krachi road project would be continued.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Worawora-Dambai road forms part of the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai regional route R26 in the Volta Region.
This section forms part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Kpando-Worawora- Dambai road which was divided into three (3) phases. The Phase I and II are completed and ended at Worawora.
Current Programme
The Worawora-Dambai portion forms the Phase III and final phase of the reconstruction works. The 70 km road was awarded to Messrs Shinsung Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. at the contract sum of GH¢49 million.
The contract start date was 5th September, 2007 and completion date is 5th January 2011. The contract is mobilizing to site in order to commence physical works.
Mr. Wisdom Gidisu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy the hon. Minister did indicate that the contractor is mobilizing to site and this is actually true. This Question has been long overdue and we only pray fervently that such things would not happen again, that he would speed up his process.
Ms. Akua Sena Dansua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the hon. Minister what happened to the original contractor, the German contractor Bilfinger and Berger.
They constructed the first and second phases of the road. What happened to them before the contract was taken and given to the Chinese Company?
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, may the hon. Member come again.
Ms. Dansua 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know from the hon. Minister what happened to the contractor Bilfinger and Berger, a German contracting firm who originally worked on the road; they did the first and second phases. So I want to know why the third phase has been given to a Chinese contractor.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the contract in question is an international one which is open to all contractors. So during the bidding process, the contractor who did the Phases I and II did not bid. That is why.
Mr. F. A. Agbotse 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when exactly the phases one and two stopped.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I said the Phases I and II had been completed, they were not stopped.
Mr. Agbotse 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from him when were Phases I and II completed.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I will find out when the two phases were completed.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Question number -- 894, hon. Samuel Johnfiah, Member of Parliament for Ahanta West?
Mr. B. D. K. Adu 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Member just left the Chamber and I have his permission to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Do you say you have his permission?
Mr. Adu 10:20 a.m.
He asked me to ask your permission to ask the Question on his behalf.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Has he requested you to ask this Question on his behalf? Has he mandated you?
Mr. Adu 10:20 a.m.
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Go ahead.
EwusiejoeSese Road
Q. 894. Mr. B. D. K. Adu (on behalf of Mr. Samuel Johnfiah) asked the Minister for Transportation when the Ministry would complete the tarring of the Ewusiejoe-Sese road.
Mr. Bayon 10:20 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Ewusiejoe- Sese feeder road is 6.2 kilometre long and is located in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.
The Ewusiejoe-Sese feeder road was awarded for sectional surfacing in 2004 and completed in July 2005 at a cost of
GH¢207,000.
The project involved the reshaping of the road and the tarring of the 1.3 kilometre Ewusiejoe and Hotopo town roads for environmental enhancement. The project was executed by Messrs General Construction and Development Limited.
In future the DFR will continue to undertake routine maintenance works on the road.
Mr. Adu 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the hon. Minister said in future the feeder road will continue. I want to know whether the first contract is completed.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the geo-
graphical location of the Kumasi Metropolis is central to other regions such as Eastern, Western, Brong-Ahafo/ Northern and the Volta Regions.
The congestion on these road is due
to the absence of adequate diversions that will prevent traffic from these inter- regional traffic from mixing with the local traffic in the Central Business District of the Kumasi Metropolis.
The present ring road in Kumasi has a
missing link between Oforikrom-Asokwa.
Traffic studies have shown that with the provision of this missing link, there may be some reduction in the congestion level. Mr. Speaker, there is some input I have made into the paper which I had late. It has to say that the missing link is to be awarded by the middle of March, 2008 and it is before the Central Tender Review Board. The ring road is not adequate to divert this traffic.
Over the past few years, the following
roads have been widened into dual carriageways to accommodate the increasing traffic through Kumasi:
1. Kumasi-Offinso dual carriageway
2. Kumasi-Accra “ “
3. Kumasi-Obuasi “ “
4. Kumasi-lake “ “
The Kumasi-Sunyani road is currently under construction.
The project commences from the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital through Sofo-line, Kwadaso to Abuakwa. Messrs China-Joo Engineering Cor- poration is the Contractor. And the contract price is $81 million. The project duration is for thirty-six months, starting from August, 2008.
The scope of work involves cons- truction of a dual carriageway as well as an interchange at the Sofo-line round about.
Future Programme
The Kumasi-Mampong Road
The 8-kilometre Mampong road is proposed for widening into a 4-lane dual carriageway with an interchange at the Suame roundabout. Design of the proposed intervention has been done and the Department of Urban Roads is reviewing the right of way to minimize the property impact. Funding is also being sourced for the development of the road.
The Outer Ring Road
This is the proposed 78 kilometre Outer
ring road diversion of traffic through to the Northern Region and neighbouring Sahelian countries.
The right of way acquisition will be
completed this year to pave the way for payment of the necessary compensation.
Meanwhile, feasibility and detailed design is currently being undertaken by Messrs Asafo-Boakye & Partners. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
The scope of design work includes the design of interchanges on the following roads:
Kumasi -Mampong road
Kumasi-Offinso road
Kumasi-Sunyani oad
Kumasi-Accra Sunyani road
Kumasi-Obuasi road.
These works when completed will
decongest the traffic on the main arterial roads.
Alhaji M. M. Mubarak 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
the hon. Minister in his Answers gave some information that I think they are not accurate. I want some clarification. He said that over the past few years, the following roads have been widened into dual carriageways to accommodate the increasing traffic through Kumasi:
Kumasi-Offinso dual carriage;
Kumasi-Accra; Kumasi- Obuasi; and
Kumasi-Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I was born and bred in Kumasi. There is nothing like dual carriage between Kumasi and Lake and also from Kumasi to Obuasi - There is no dual carriageway. Also Kumasi-Accra, there is no dual carriage way. I think he should give us the specifics rather than
mentioning the whole length. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
So what is your question?
Alh. Mubarak: Mr. Speaker, my
question is; he should give us the clarification - The dual carriages that he is mentioning -- He said Kumasi- Accra. All of us know that there is no dual carriage way between Kumasi and Accra. He said Kumasi-Obuasi, Kumasi-Lake. And I am saying that he should give us the specific distances but not to mention the whole length as dual carriage - If there are other clarifications that he wants to give he may do so because the information here is inaccurate.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:30 a.m.
Hon. Member for
Asewase, what is your question?
Alhaji M. M. Mubarak 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker,
I want to find out from the Minister for Transportation, do these dual carriageways that he has mentioned, Kumasi-Offinso, Kumasi-Accra, Kumasi-Obuasi and Kumasi-Lake exist?
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, maybe for
clarification, I am referring to roads leading from Kumasi to those towns, that is from Kumasi towards the towns but not the whole length of the roads.
Narkwa to Edumafa Road
Q. 911. Mr. Lee Ocran (on behalf
of Mr. George K. Blankson) asked the Minister for Transportation when the stretch of road between Narkwa to Edumafa would be reshaped.
Mr. Bayon 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the Narkwa- Edumafa feeder road is 2.7 kilometre long and is located in the Mfantseman District

of the Central Region. The road is an earth road and un-engineered.

Engineering studies on the road will be carried out this year and based on the outcome of the studies and availability of funds, the necessary intervention will be carried out.

Suhum Town Roads (Tarring)

Q.912. Mr. S. K. Adu-Gyamfi (on behalf of Mr. Frederick Opare-Ansah) asked the Minister for Transportation when tarring of the remaining Suhum town roads would start.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, Suhum is the capital of the Suhum-Kraboa Coaltar district of the Eastern Region. The roads have an estimated length of 4.5 kilometres.
Current Programme
Out of the 4.5 kilometres length of roads in Suhum, 2.0 kilometres was packaged for partial reconstruction and awarded to Messrs Core Construction Ltd. on 3rd August, 2004 for completion on 2nd May 2005 at the contract sum of GH¢401,000. Due to the shortage of quarry products in 2005, the completion date was extended to 2nd March, 2006.
Currently, the status of the project stands as follows:
1.7 kilometres of base has been laid amounting to 85 per cent
1.5 kilometres of primer seal amounting to 75 per cent
1.1 kilometres of seal amounting to 55 per cent.
The project has unduly delayed. A final warning letter was issued to the contractor on 12th April, 2007 to resume site and complete the works. The contractor is remobilizing to site in order to complete the works.
Future Programme
The remaining 2.5 kilometres of the total package will be executed, subject to the availability of funds.
Mr. Adu-Gyamfi 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in his Answer, the Minister has indicated that the remaining portion would be given on contract given the availability of funds. Will the hon. Minister assure us when exactly funds would be available?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in future when we input this road and it is approved in the budget, we would be able to do it.
Mr. Adu-Gyamfi 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, will the hon. Minister consider this to be part of the 15-kilometres project for the district in the ensuring year?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is not within my domain to choose which roads should be done under the 15-kilometre project; it is the District Assembly and other political leaders in the district and others in the region --
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want to find out from the hon. Minister the last time that he had discussions with the political leaders and the District Assembly at Suhum as to which road is to be constructed.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we have communicated to all District Assemblies through the Ministry of Local Govern- ment, Rural Development and Environ- ment to pick the roads that are of priority.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I want
the hon. Minister of State to deal with the contradiction here. He said in his Answer to the first question that when the road is inputted in the programme in future - Which future are we talking about?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the future will not be 2008 because it is not in the 2008 Budget. But any time after 2008, if it is inputted and money is made available by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, we would do it.
Dr. A. A. Osei 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, in his Answer, the hon. Minister said the contractor is remobilising to site in order to complete the works. Since the letter was issued to the contractor in April, 2007 will the hon. Minister be more specific as to exactly when the contractor is mobilizing? A year after a letter has been issued to him, he is saying he is still mobilizing? So the hon. Minister should be more specific. Is he there? Is he on his way? What measures are being taken to make sure that the contractor takes his instructions seriously?
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, by the use of the word “remobilising”, it indicates that the contractor is not at site, but he is getting ready to go to site. Sincerely, I agree with the hon. Minister that he has taken a long time in remobilising. Therefore, we shall monitor him effectively and if progress is not being made, we shall terminate the contract and reaward it.
Kade Township Roads
Q. 913. Mr. James Appietu-Ankrah (on behalf of Mr. Asamoah Ofosu) asked the Minister for Transportation why work on the one-and-a-half kilometre Kade township road had been halted.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, the 1.5 kilometre section of Kade town roads was packaged as part of the first 5 kilometres
of the 30 kilometre Kade-Wenchi-Akim- Oda trunk road designed R64 in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region.
Current Programme
The upgrading of the Kade-Wenchi- Oda (km 0-5) was awarded to Messrs Osekwap Co. Ltd. on 4th August, 2004 for completion by 31st December, 2005 in the contract sum of GH¢643,000. The first 0.9 kilometres has been primer sealed. The remaining 0.7 kilometres was affected by a diversion and the construction of a box culvert. This attracted extension of time to 31st March, 2007.
Currently, the box culvert has been built. The status of the project is 96 per cent base, 58 per cent primer seal. There is no final seal.
A final warning letter was issued to the contractor on 16th January, 2008 to expedite action on the contract.
Mr. Appietu-Ankrah 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister when work is supposed to be completed this time around.
Mr. Bayon 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, after extending the contract time, we expect that the contractor would speed up and in the course of the year, the project should be completed.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Transportation, thank you very much for appearing to answer these Questions.
Minister for Finance and Economic Planning (Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu) -- rose --
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Hon. Minister?
Mr. Baah-Wiredu 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I made a presentation and I was asked to give the evidence. I brought the evidence and I just want to find out if I have to lay it before the House.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
Statements -- Item 5. Hon. Member for Ketu South?
Ms. Akua Sena Dansua 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, he said he submitted the Statement yesterday but because he was not told that it has been approved for today, he is not ready with it. So he would prefer Tuesday, if that would be all right by Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker 10:40 a.m.
You cannot suggest to me. We have to decide on that. At the Commencement of Public Business -- Item 6 -- Motions. Majority Leader?
Majority Leader (Mr. A. O. Aidooh) 10:40 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, we propose to defer this motion to next Tuesday. So may I move for adjournment. But before then Mr. Speaker, I wish to announce to the House that the seminar on Public Policy and Elections Process scheduled at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) this weekend
Mr. E. T. Mensah 10 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to second the motion.
ADJOURNMENT 10 a.m.
  • [MR. ADJEI-DARKO