Debates of 28 May 2010

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 11:10 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 27th May, 2010.

Hon Members, in the absence of any corrections, the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 27th May, 2010 is adopted as the true record of proceedings.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am sorry, I could not attract your attention earlier. It is in respect of page 10. Yesterday, we passed the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2010 through all the stages. But it looks like inadvertently, a mistake was made. I do not know, having concluded it, how we are going to clean the Act just so that the Chair and the House would take due notice and I guess if we have to find a way to do it, then we do it to correct what rather inadvertently we did.
Madam Speaker, it is in respect of the
Schedules.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
The Schedules?
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
Yes. The
Mr Edward K. Adjaho 10:20 a.m.
The Hon Minority Leader has landed properly that he was not correcting the Votes and Proceedings. But I think that the Hon Minority Leader is a senior Hon Member of this House; if he has noticed anything like that I think that he can engage his Colleague opposite so that behind the scenes, if there is something which is very fundamental to what we did yesterday, then we find a way of addressing it. I think that this is not the proper time for him to raise that matter. I was going to say that he was completely out of order but he landed properly by saying that this is not Votes and Proceedings.
But Madam Speaker, if there is something that he feels strongly about, he can engage the Hon Majority Leader
and they can bring it to your attention and together, we see what can be done about it.
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
I think that was the
purpose of this. It was not to correct the Votes and Proceedings but draw attention to it. Like the Hon Member said, it is a matter for you to come together and find out even if, indeed, it was a mistake and how to correct it. And then we find a way of correcting it, of course.
So, shall I say that -- Take note of
this and Hon Leaders, please, engage yourselves and let us see whether there is a mistake, like he said, inadvertently or otherwise and how, if so, it could be corrected.
Mr Cletus A. Avoka 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
indeed, the Hon Minority Leader drew our attention to this mistake or technical error shortly after we closed. And we agreed that even though it was no more within the floor, it was possible for us to liaise with the Table Office so that we can make -- so, we agreed on that yesterday. So, I thought that that was already taken care of.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 10:20 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, the fault really does not lie with the Committee, as such. Really, the document that came did not put the matter beyond doubt. That is why I said that our involvement was rather inadvertent. But I drew the attention of the Chair. As it is, because plenary has discussed it, it cannot be taken by the Table Office, which is why I am saying that we should find a way, to perhaps, re-situate it here and cleanse it. That is how it should be done.
We cannot just say that the Table Office
should clean it because plenary has not taken that decision, which is why I said that it is not really to correct the Votes and Proceedings but it is an error that we have committed rather inadvertently. So we should find a way to tidy it up.
Madam Speaker, I thank you.
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Yes, we are masters

Having said that, can we then move on?

Yes, bring it up at the right time when

a decision and agreement between you have been reached and we can see what correction to make.

In which case, shall we move on to the

Business Statement for the week?
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:20 a.m.
Majority Leader (Mr Cletus A. Avoka) 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Business Committee met yesterday and we have proposed the following Business for the week ending Friday, 4th June, 2010.
Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, there will be Question time -- Indeed, we have agreed that following a request made on the floor of this House by some Hon Members that there was an issue of exodus of some Ghanaians into the Republic of Togo, we requested that the Hon Minister for the Interior should make a Statement to clarify the issues or the situation for everybody in the country to know.
We have therefore, programmed the
Madam Speaker, the Committee accor- dingly submits its Report as follows 10:20 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Questions to Ministers
Madam Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to answer Questions asked of them during the week:

No. of Question(s)

i. Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing -- 7

ii. Minister for the Interior -- 7

iii. Minister for Education -- 7

iv. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 7

Total -- 28

Madam Speaker, in all, four Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to twenty-eight (28) Questions during the week. The Questions are of the following types:

i. Urgent -- 1

ii. Oral -- 24

iii. Written -- 3

Statements

Madam Speaker may allow Statements duly admitted to be made in the House.

Bills, Papers and Reports

Madam Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for consideration and those already before the House may be taken through the various stages. Papers and committee reports may also be laid.

Motions and Resolutions

Madam Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2), the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the Business of each Sitting of the week and the order in which it shall be taken during the week.

Questions --

*327. Mrs. Catherine Abelema Afeku (Evalue-Gwira): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing if there is any plan to rehabilitate and/or reconstruct the Axim sea defence wall.

373. Mr. Kwabena Amankwa Asiamah (Fanteakwa): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the rehabilitation and expansion as well as the provision of a medium capacity treatment plant of the Begoro Water Project will take place, as captured at paragraph 469, page 107 of the 2009 Budget Statement.

374. Mr. Joseph Kwaku Nayan (Nkwanta North): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the Nkwanta North (Damanko-Kpassa) Water Project will be completed and inaugurated. *375. Mr. Theophilus Tetteh Chaie (Ablekuma Central): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing when the Mataheko portion of the storm drain will be constructed to alleviate the annual flooding of the area.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accor- dingly submits its Report as follows 10:20 a.m.
*377. Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey (North Tongu): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing what plans the Ministry has to reduce dependence on the use of imported materials in our building and construction industry.
*378. Mr. Charles S. Hodogbey (North Tongu): To ask the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing who were the beneficiaries under the protocol allocations of government prime lands in Accra.
Statements
Presentation and First Reading of Bills --
Savannah Accelerated Develop- ment Authority Bill, 2010
Laying of Papers --
(a ) Repor t o f the F inance Committee on the Supplier's Credit Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and STX Engineering and Construc-t ion Ghana Limited for an amount of US$1,525,443,468.00 for the construction of 30,000 units of houses under the Security Services Housing Project.
(b) Report from the Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on the First Ordinary Session of the Second Parliament of the
Pan-African Parliament.
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Plants Bill.

Committee Sittings.

Questions --

*364 .Mr. Stephen Yakubu (Binduri): To ask the Minister for the Interior what relief items were distributed and how they were distributed by NADMO to the affected people of Binduri during the recent floods.

365 . Mr. Stephen Yakubu (Binduri): To ask the Minister for the Interior when a police station will be built and made operational in Binduri.

*366. Ms. Esther Obeng Dappah (Abirem): To ask the Minister for the Interior what plans the Ministry has to provide accommodation and vehicles for the newly built police station at New Abirem in the Birim North District.

*367. Ms. Esther Obeng Dappah (Abirem): To ask the Minister for the Interior what immediate plans the Ministry has to increase the staff strength of the police post at Abirem in the Birim North District. *436. Mr. George Boakye (Asunafo South): To ask the Minister for the Interior what pragmatic steps the Ministry is taking to ensure the security of teenage girls engaged in kayayee on the streets of Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.
Madam Speaker, the Committee accor- dingly submits its Report as follows 10:20 a.m.
*456. Mr Justice Joe Appiah (Ablekuma North): To ask the Minister for the Interior what road safety measures the Ministry would take to ensure that both motorbike riders and the pillion riders use crash helmets when travelling.
Statements
Consideration Stage of Bills --
Plants Bill.

Committee Sittings.

Urgent Question --
Mr Benito Owusu-Bio (Atwima Nwabiagya) 10:20 a.m.
To ask the Minister for Education when a new six- classroom block will be constructed for Mfensi D/A Primary School so that they can relocate from the church building they currently occupy.
Madam Speaker, let me indicate that following consultation with the Hon Minister for Education, he has intimated that he has other matters before Cabinet on Thursday. But we have agreed that it should be possible for his able Hon Deputy Minister, who is an Hon Member of this august House, to answer Questions on his behalf on Thursday, subject to Madam Speaker's indulgence and that of Hon Colleagues.
Questions --
*388. Mr Ben Abdallah Banda (Offinso South): To ask the Minister for Education when St. Jerome Senior High School situated at Abofour will be provided with the following facilities: (i) boys and Girls dormitories, (ii) dining hall, (iii) headmaster's bungalow.
*564. Mr Dawuda Iddrisu (Karaga): To ask the Minister for Education why the District Education Office complex in Karaga has not been completed.
*565. Prof. (Emeritus) Samuel K. Amoako (Akim Abuakwa North): To ask the Minister for Education when sufficient infrastructure will be provided to the A. M. E. Zion Senior High School, Old Tafo, to enable the school to relocate to the new site.
*566. Mr Anthony Evans Amoah (Mpohor Wassa East): To ask the Minister for Education what measures are being taken to ensure the completion of the 12-unit classroom block at Mpohor Senior High School in Mpohor Wassa East District.
*567. Mr Augustine Collins Ntim (Offinso North): To ask the Minister for Education what measures are being put in place to ensure that sufficient senior high school infrastructure are provided to conveniently accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of junior high school graduates.
*568. Ms Grace Addo (Amansie West): To ask the Minister for
Education the cause for the delay in the completion of the girls' dormitory block for the Mansoman Senior High School at Manso Atwere in the Amansie West District which was started eight years ago.
Statements
Second Reading of Bills --
Mutual Legal Assistance Bill,
2009
Third Reading of Bills --
Plants Bill, 2009.
Motions --
Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Supplier's Credit Financing A g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n t h e Government of Ghana and STX Engineering and Construction Ghana Limited for an amount of US$1,525,443,468.00 for the construction of 30,000 units of houses under the Security Services Housing Project.

Committee Sittings. Friday, 4th June 2010

Questions --

*305 Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah (Takoradi): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Takoradi Sawmill roads will be tarred.

*306. Mr. Stephen M. E. K. Ackah
rose
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Hon Member, you were just on time.
Dr A. A. Osei 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, on my way to the House, I met some Colleagues and I need your guidance to see if there is some truism in what I heard.
Apparently, the Leadership, including yourself, I was told, had promised Hon Members some important assignment on the 26th and some Hon Members, not receiving that promise, had advised themselves.
That is the reason, it seems, the House is a bit empty. They are not coming at 11:00 a.m. not because of that. I am not aware and so I thought maybe, the Leadership might know something about it since I do not. So you can see there
is some truth in what is being alleged because it is strange that almost the House is empty and it is not because Hon Members think that we start at 11:00 a.m.; most Hon Members know we start at 10:00 a.m. So I just need your guidance as to how to proceed with this matter.
The second point, Madam Speaker, is
that I noticed that on Friday, June 4, there is almost very little business except for a few Questions and I just want Leadership to explain to us if there is a special reason that on Friday, June 4, there appears to be very little business; very little business of substance. I do not know if it has any relationship to the alleged celebration in Tamale but it could have some association.
I thank you.
Mr Ambrose P. Dery 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I just wanted to draw my Colleague's attention to the fact that we cannot in this House thrive on rumours or deal with rumours. I thought in the absence of any specific facts, what he said is rumour-mongering which this House should avoid at all times.
Madam Speaker, on the issue of Friday,
I was present. The Minority Leader was unavoidably absent; I was present at the Business Committee meeting. The date June 4 did not inform our programming on Friday but Madam Speaker, you will realize that mostly on Fridays the schedule is not as heavy as other days for good reasons and we also thought that the Plants Bill, 2009 and other outstanding issues could go from day-to-day and feed into Friday and that was what informed -- so it is a purely technical Business Committee decision based on relevant issues and nothing extraneous.
I am just hearing from him that there will be something happening on June 4 in
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Yes, Hon Leader,
if this answers all the questions raised -- Do we have to belabour it? I mean if Hon Dery's intervention answers all the questions posed by Hon Dr Anthony Osei --
Mr Avoka 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I entirely associate myself with the sentiments expressed by the Deputy Minority Leader because as Chairman of the Business Committee and he is a very distinguished Member, no such decision was made with regard to June 4 or any other matter.
As he rightly put it, Fridays are days that we normally adjourn early to allow Hon Members to travel, so we took that into account. Besides the fact that if there are other matters that fall-off following Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and we do not complete them, we can take them on board on Friday. That is why we made the programme so.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Well, I had not heard the first rumour; I was also trying to find the answer to why the House is not full. Like you, I had not even heard of any rumour or promises except that when you stated it -- you said Madam Speaker and the Leadership had promised something. I am not aware of any promise.
Unless we want to stretch this rumour -- should we leave it here? Because I do not even know about it. But I will find out afterwards where ever the Leaders went and promised, which they did not tell me.
Thank you.
Any other comments on the Business
Statement before we adopt it? The Business Statement is adopted.
Mr Avoka 10:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I was
wondering whether it is possible to vary the order of business for this morning or today so that we would take a Statement in respect of a tribute to the late Chiana Pio who was a Speaker of the Consul-tative Assembly. I thought that there would have been numbers here so that people may contribute to it but -- [Pause] -- Maybe, after the Statement, we can take two contributions from each side or thereabout, then after we would come to Question time subject to your con-venience.
Madam Speaker 10:20 a.m.
Yes, I have power to vary the order and I think this is a proper application and so I will vary it and go to the Statement straightaway.
The Statement stands in the name of
Majority Leader, Hon Cletus Avoka.
STATEMENTS 10:40 a.m.
Majority Leader (Mr Cletus A. Avoka) 10:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I make this Statement on behalf of this distinguished august House which is headed by you and it is a tribute in memory of the late Chiana Pio, Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II.
Madam Speaker, this Statement from this august House is in perspective because the late Chiana Pio was the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly that drafted the 1992 Constitution in 1991-92. It is on account of his role as such that we deem it necessary that this august House makes a Statement not discounting the fact
Majority Leader (Mr Cletus A. Avoka) 10:40 a.m.


that he is also a distinguished traditional ruler in this country.

Madam Speaker, may I humbly start the

Statement by making this quotation and it is taken from William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night book which reads as follows and with your permission, I quote:

“Be not afraid of greatness: Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them”.

In my view, this quotation aptly

describes the life of the late Chiana Pio, Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II.

Undoubtedly, death is a painful

component of life, a transition that everyone has to experience at one time or another. So painful it was when Ghana lost one of her illustrious and industrious sons, Chiana Pio, Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II. Neither years of age nor illness diminished the idealism and energy of this talented, imaginative, and intelligent man.

The late Chiana Pio stood for justice,

freedom of expression, care for the weak and the vulnerable and always upheld the will of the people.

As a traditional ruler, he was President

of the then Upper Regional House of Chiefs in 1972 and became the first President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs when it was created in

1976.

He held the institution of chieftaincy

with dignity, poise and grace. In that capacity, he strived to do good to all manner of persons. These qualities were readily noticed by the then government of the Provisional National Defence Council

(PNDC) in 1991 and he was accordingly appointed the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly that drafted our current 1992 Constitution.

Madam Speaker, it is trite knowledge

that the late Chiana Pio was not a judge of this country, he was not a lawyer but he was a chief. To have caught the eyes of the leadership of the country at the time and of everybody for that matter, to be chosen as the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly, testifies to his positive credentials.

He was a pragmatic leader whose

commitment and dedication to democracy was highly acknowledged. Madam Speaker, I should not be taken out of context. What I am saying is that, the practice had been that, in positions of this nature, to be a Speaker of a Consultative Assembly or a National Assembly, they would normally have been looking for a retired Judge or an active Judge or a lawyer - somebody with legal background. But I am saying he did not have that, but he was spotted and he distinguished himself. That is a credit to him.

Under his able leadership, Ghana produced a Constitution that has, in the history of this country, seen a peaceful handover of power from one political party to another. By this act, Ghana has become a beacon of hope within the sub-region - the Constitution has become the blue print for other African States to emulate.

The continuing operation of the 1992

Constitution close to two decades is a testimony of his great works for the democratic development of Ghana. He was an advocate of equity, respected human rights, rule of law and upheld democratic principles at all times.

Madam Speaker, this is a testimony to the fact that as a member of the defunct Consultative Assembly, I recall the day we were both debating whether chiefs should be allowed to participate in active politics or not and the late Chiana Pio was in the Chair. Even though his colleagues who were in the Consultative Assembly were not amused by that debate and decision that chiefs should not take active part in politics, Chiana Pio piloted the debate very, very passionately and objectively and was very neutral and that was a feather in his cup. That was a mark of statesmanship.

His death, therefore, is a tragedy to constitutional democracy and chieftaincy in Ghana. His genuine views and comments towards the sustenance of our nation's nascent democracy and rule of law cannot be overlooked. His death has robbed the nation of the wealth of experience, most needed to consolidate Ghana's democratic dispensation and the gains that we have had.

The people of Ghana, particularly

Parliament salute Hon Chiana Pio, for his immense contribution to the 1992 Constitution which has become the building block of the current multi-party democracy that we are practising in the country.

Parliament will also remember his frank disposition on national issues. As we mourn his loss, we re-dedicate ourselves to the causes which he dutifully stood for. The legacy of the 1992 Constitution that he left behind and the ethos to see it work, are what Parliament seeks to make a reality.

Madam Speaker, indeed, Ghanaians have lost a rare patriot, a renowned chief and a distinguished Statesman, whose commitment to democracy is worthy of

emulation.

To the chieftaincy institution, the

people of the Upper East Region and particularly the Chiana Traditional Area and the family of the late Chief and all of us in Ghana will mourn with them. It is the hope of this august House that there will be smooth replacement of this distinguished patriot by the kingmakers and elders of the Chiana Traditional Area. That will be a positive legacy that we can bequeath him.

On this note, I want to oblige Madam

Speaker and Hon Members of the House so that if we can rise one second or two seconds for the late Chiana Pio, we would be grateful.

May his soul rest in peace.
Mr Ambrose P. Dery (NPP -- Lawra/ Nandom) 10:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to also pay tribute to the late Chiana Pio, Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II.
Madam Speaker, the late Pe Ayagitam
had sterling leadership qualities. Although the Majority Leader quoted from Shakespeare, he was not specific how he got the greatness. I would say that he achieved it; it was not thrust upon him. He became chief. He had to cut his education when he was in the agricultural college, upon the death of his father to become chief and he was the first President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs.
I was privileged then as a national service person to do my national service at
Mr Ambrose P. Dery (NPP -- Lawra/ Nandom) 10:50 a.m.


the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs and one could see that Pe Ayagitam II was a man of peace and I think that is a quality that I should emphasise, especially, that he was a chief coming from the northern part of Ghana where peace is increasingly becoming regrettably a rare commodity. He was a man of peace. He believed in jaw-jaw as opposed to war-war. He took his time to engage his colleagues and others whenever there was a dispute.

In spite of the fact that he had colleagues who were better endowed in academic laurels and other achievements and other aspects of our societal communal activities, he nevertheless by his humility and his exemplary leadership qualities, became the giant of the Upper East and subsequently the North. It was no surprise, therefore, that he was seen and appointed to be the Speaker or the Chair to the Consultative Assembly. I believe we those who even observed the activities of the Consultative Assembly from afar will testify to the fact that he was a model leader.

I would entreat the whole of the country, and especially the North to emulate the good example that had been set by Pe Adiali Ayagitam II. And that our present traditional rulers should emulate his humility, his love for peace and the fact that he was not afraid to negotiate even when his own interest was at stake.

When it came to a time of re-assigning or re-designating certain divisional chiefs at the time as paramountcies, he was the leader of the group that actually fought for that re-designation. At times when other chiefs sought to declare that he was a subordinate to them, he kept his cool and in the end, we all admired the efforts. And we had a peaceful re-designation of those divisional chiefs at the time who had

no overlords.

Madam Speaker, I can only say that the people of Chiana should do his memory some good by ensuring that the succession after him is peaceful and that the rest of us in the North and the sitting chiefs, begin to be men of peace. We should know that anytime there is a fight, there will be a winner and a loser, and we cannot have sustainable peace that way. We are all going to be winners provided we resort to negotiations each time there is a problem and try to reconcile our differences without resorting to violence.

Madam Speaker, I would say that we have missed a great leader, and I ask all of us to, in our various ways live and emulate his example. Those of us who are leaders, let us be humble and peace-loving; and the rest of us, let us co-operate in making sure that disputes in our areas are resolved without resorting to violence.

Madam Speaker, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
Mr Moses A. Asaga (NDC -- Nabdam) 10:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to make a small tribute to a very big paramount chief from the Upper East Region.
As already alluded to, this is one of the prominent people from the Upper East Region as far as chieftaincy affairs are concerned. As we know, he was the one who actually became the First President of the National House of Chiefs.
I mus t ment ion tha t my own paramountcy, the Nangodi paramountcy, used to be a divisional status but as a result
Mr Moses A. Asaga (NDC -- Nabdam) 10:50 a.m.


So, as they have just said, an heir apparently will become a paramount chief because of the hardworking nature of Chiana Pio.

Madam Speaker, when he was the Speaker of the Constituent Assembly, we can testify by the product that he produced -- the 1992 Constitution. Madam Speaker, this Constitution is a testimony to his hardworking nature, his academic brilliance and his knowledge of democracy.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I say may his soul rest in perfect peace.

In adium Suma Nii-O- ya ab nam. Amen.
Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah (NPP -- Kwabre West) 11 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by the Hon Majority Leader as well as the other Members in paying tributes to the late Chiana Pio, Roland Ayagitam, who passed away recently.
Mr Emmanuel A. Owusu-Ansah (NPP -- Kwabre West) 11 a.m.


in appealing to the people of Chiana that in enthroning a successor, they should look at somebody who will be able to carry the way Chiana Pio conducted himself, the way Chiana Pio took development of his area to his heart and the way he was everybody's chief. If we are not able to have a successor of like manner, then the contribution of Chiana Pio to Chiana and to Ghana would have been in vain.

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I pray that the Almighty God grants Chiana Pio a very peaceful rest.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo (NDC -- Wa Central) 11 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I will like to start by thanking the Majority Leader for bringing up this Statement as a tribute to our elder Colleague who contributed in no small way in the new democratic dispensation we are experiencing today.
Madam Speaker, everybody who was associated with drafting this Constitution upon whose wings we find ourselves Sitting in today's Parliament deserve a special place in the history of Ghana and those who spearheaded it and led by the Chiana Pio Ayagitam II will forever be remembered and honoured by the people of Ghana; or should be remembered and honoured by the people of Ghana.
Madam Speaker, it is Shakespeare who said through one of his characters that death is but a walking shadow, and he characterized it by saying, “a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then he is heard no more”. And he said “it is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing”. But in this particular instance, this strutting and fretting do signify something. It
signifies a lot.
The Chiana Pio has left behind a recognition of greatness symbolized in his personality. Most of the contributions talked about the elegance of his personality and of an amiable disposition of a person who walked this earth and left a mark. If even he had not been a Chiana Pio, and ended up his life by being only the Speaker of the Consultative Assembly, he would have still lived a full life.
Madam Speaker, this is to define what life represents in our life and all those who do something to touch our life. It is important to recognize them when they pass away in any small way we can, by the living humanity and I think that what Parliament is doing today is of importance. It is crucial and it tells that when we suffer a little for this country, we would be recognized.
Madam Speaker, with these few words, I wish him all the best. I hope and pray that the Lord will receive him well and put him at the right place and I believe in whatever religion he followed, he will find favour with the Lord while we continue to pray for him.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Minority Leader (Mr Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu 11 a.m.
Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to associate myself with the tribute in memory of the late Chiana Pio, Pe Rowland Adiali Ayagitam II, ably made by the Majority Leader and I believe he has made it for and on behalf of this House.
Madam Speaker, may I also begin by entering the Shakespearan warehouse to

borrow a phrase, since that has become the order this morning. Madam Speaker, I did not know much about the late Chiana Pio but listening to Colleagues who have paid tribute, it does appear as per Shakespeare that all the elements were so well mixed in him that nature itself may serve him -- this was a man.

Madam Speaker, permit me to just offer a little correction to what the Majority Leader said, that under his able leadership, Ghana has produced a Constitution that has in the history of this country seen a peaceful handover of power from one political party to another. I think the most appropriate position is that this country has seen two peaceful handovers of power from one political party to the other and that has been under the stewardship of Pe Rowland Ayagitam II.

Mr Speaker, we were told that he was an advocate of equity, he respected human rights, the rule of law and upheld democratic principles at all times. The Majority Leader and all who have spoken after him have acknowledged that the late leader was a pragmatic leader whose commitment and dedication to democracy was highly acknowledged.

Madam Speaker, the combined effort of such personalities has drawn this nation away from the blood and thunder days, to quote the late Justice Annan, to our present day status. We should accordingly be thankful to God for the life of such personalities, otherwise, Ghana would not be at where we are today in spite of all pretences to the contrary.

Madam Speaker, the Deputy Minority Leader has alluded to the pragmatism of the late chief.

It is unfortunate that as a nation we should lose such a person at the time when the nation is having a re-look at the

Constitution which he helped to smith.

Undoubtedly, Madam Speaker, the pilot would have helped us as a nation to meander our way and manouvre to a destination that would inure to the benefit of this country. Madam Speaker, the best we can do in my view to immortalize him is to remain committed to constitutional democracy.

Madam Speaker, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
That is the end of the tribute.
Shall we now move on to item 4 -- Questions?
Hon Majority Leader, is the Minister for Roads and Highways here?
Yes, Hon Dr Akoto Osei --
Dr Anthony A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I come under Order 48(1) --
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Under Order 48
(1)?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:10 a.m.
It appears that we do not have a quorum to conduct business and I thought I should bring the Speaker's attention to it.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, in which case, we do ring the bell. Clerk, can we have the bell rang and then we will carry on for a few minutes to see if people in the lobby will be coming -- 10 minutes. And then I shall adjourn the House without Question put until the next day -- [Interruption.] That is a good point; I do not know whether the questioners are here today and we would have ignored that but since it has been raised, that is the procedure.
Clerk, can we ring the bell now and see
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.


what happens in 10 minutes? So within the ten minutes, Hon Members, we can carry on with the Questions, in which case, the first Question stands in the name of Hon John Gyetuah, Amenfi West. Hon Member, are you here? Put your Question.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:10 a.m.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:10 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 11:10 a.m.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Joe K. Gidisu) 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Asankrangua-Nyame Nnae feeder road is 10.6 kilometres long. It is located in the Amenfi West District in the Western Region. It is an un-engineered road and in a very poor condition.
Madam Speaker, the road will be considered alongside other roads when planning for future spot improvements by the Ministry under the Feeder Roads Department. This will, however, be dependent on the availability of funds.
Mr Gyetuah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in the last line of his Answer to the Question, he said “It is an un-engineered road and in a poor condition”. I want to find out from the Hon Minister, whose responsibility it is to engineer the road, whether the District Assemblies have roles to play in this direction.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Department of Feeder Roads is one of the decentralized departments under
the District Assemblies. Hence, the financing of projects undertaken by those departments is done from the headquarters.
Coming back to the question with regard to the responsibility for engineering of roads in the country, it is a ministerial responsibility under the Department of Feeder Roads. For that matter, as I noted, we will be doing that under a spot improvement programme, which we will, all things being equal, take on board with the availability of funds.
Mr Gyetuah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the road in question was awarded two years ago but unfortunately, the contractor did not turn up to execute the project. As ably stated in the Answer, the road is very deplorable and as such, cocoa buying agencies in the area have withdrawn their services from the place.
Considering this scenario, will the Hon Minister consider rehabilitating, at least, five kilometers of the road so that farmers will not carry the dry cocoa beans as head portage and as such, have it go against the farmers?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am aware of the plight of cocoa farmers in that area. More especially, the fact that they contribute to the greater production of cocoa compared to other areas and the deplorable state of those roads.
I will just want to assure my Hon Colleague that we are considering that road as part of a package. We will be coming back to the House at the appropriate time to highlight the programme we have. But in the meantime, I can only say that spot improvement will not be limited to the five kilometres which he is suggesting but we will take on board the whole stretch of the 10.6 kilometres.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, your last question.
Mr Gyetuah 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, consi- dering the condition of the road and as we have been told by the Hon Minister, with regard to syndicated loan being provided by COCOBOD, will he consider this particular road when the syndicated loan is realized?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would not want to, on the platform of this august House, be talking about that loan which has not yet come before the House. But so far as it will be targeted at improving roads in the cocoa-producing areas, and that corridor being one of the very important cocoa producing-areas, will definitely capture the priority areas for the disbursement under any such loan that the House will eventually approve.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell us, in the lexicon of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, what is the distinction between rehabilitation and maintenance?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the rehabilitation comes under maintenance, so by virtue of that, rehabilitation is part of the process of maintaining the road network.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister has told us that rehabilitation comes under maintenance. So, what does he make of what he has told us that there are no immediate plans towards rehabilitation, but they will undertake routine maintenance? What does he make of that?
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Yes, you said it comes under, so, explain it further. He wants to know.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:10 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the spot improvement focuses on specific aspects of the maintenance of roads. I
was trying to highlight spot improvement which is a maintenance programme which is specific.
Madam Speaker 11:10 a.m.
Can we now move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of Hon Stephen Ackah?
Is, Hon Stephen Ackah here? No?
Next, Hon Christopher Addae -- Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai.
Hon Member?
Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is unavoidably absent and he called me this morning to ask the Question on his behalf.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
He called you this morning?
Mr Sarfo-Mensah 11:20 a.m.
Yes, he called me from his constituency. He said he had some engagements in the constituency and he called this morning that I should ask the Question on his behalf.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Well, I do not know whether Hon Anthony A. Osei is still pressing. Has he counted the number of Members to get 70? Is it 70 you wanted?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I was just wondering if the 10 minutes that you gave has elapsed.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Well, the bell was
rung so many minutes after I had given the order, so, I was waiting, I think we have about five more minutes.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I just want to plead with my Hon Colleague. We have not yet even entered the domain of Public Business. At this stage, what the Hon Minister is doing is just giving information to this House as per the Questions that have been asked

and we are not really taking a decision on information that the Hon Minister gives us. So, may I plead with him to allow the Questions to be asked and the Hon Minister answers those Questions before we get to Public Business.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Yes, I did not want to make the plea but coming from you, I support it.
Hon Anthony Osei, what do you say to the plea?
Dr A. A. Osei 11:20 a.m.
Since it is coming from my Leader, I have no choice but to accept the plea.
I thank you.
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
I thank you too. So can we now continue, at least, to finish our Questions? Question 294 - they have agreed that we should finish the Questions.
Hon Member, can you then ask your Question?
Bibiani Town Roads Project (Commencement)
Q. 294. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (on behalf of Mr Christopher Addae) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the third phase of the Bibiani town roads project would be awarded for commencement.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, phases one and two of the Bibiani town roads rehabilitation projects were awarded in 2006 and 2007 under two separate contracts. The total length of the two projects is 6.4 kilometres. The works under these phases have been completed.
Future Programme
The third phase of the project will
cover four kilometres. This will consist of the Estate road, Zongo road and part of hospital road. This contract is expected to be awarded under the 2011 Budget. The
surface dressing of the remaining five kilometres will be considered as and when funds are made available.
Mr Sarfo-Mensah 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, during the rainy season, the parts which have not been awarded sometimes become unmotorable. I would like to find out from the Hon Minister, until these roads are awarded, are there any plans to ensure regular maintenance until they are surfaced?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is a normal practice in the Ministry that until we go back with a serious programme like the surfacing of any road network, there is regular maintenance of those roads to make them motorable and for that matter, until we go back to surface the road, there will be an attempt to make it motorable.
Mr Sarfo-Mensah 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
last year, there was no such routine maintenance of these roads. So I would like the Hon Minister to assure this House that this year, such routine maintenance would be done on these roads.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is not a ritual that every year we go on roads throughout the country for that type of maintenance. We do that as and when there is the need for it.
This year, if there is every indication to do that, we would surely make it motorable, as part of our commitment.
Mr Kofi Frimpong 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, last month I happened to be in Bibiani and I used those roads and they are terribly bad. I do not know what he is talking about. When is he going to start the routine maintenance on these roads because they are in such a bad state that the roads are unmotorable. When can he assure the House that such routine maintenance would be carried on in Bibiani?
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
That is your question, Hon Minister, when?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
on the lighter note, then how did my Hon Colleague manage to come down here?

Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague might have travelled on a different route.

We are talking of Bibiani town roads and the project was divided into three phases. Phases one and two have been completed and by that I thought if he travelled on phases one and two roads, he would not be coming up with that conclusion. But as I noted in the Answer, we are going back under the phase three with appropriate financing arrangements put in place.
rose
Madam Speaker 11:20 a.m.
Honourable,
welcome -- [Laughter] -- I think you will take the answer, otherwise, we will be debating him.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in his Answer, the Hon Minister said --
“. . . this contract is expected to be awarded under the 2011 Budget.”
Can he tell us the expected contract value?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I will not be able to off-hand tell the contract value but if the Hon Colleague wants, we will update him on this later.
Mr Samuel K. Obodai 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member who asked the Question did indicate that last year no routine maintenance was done on this road and if this year the Hon Minister cannot assure us that a routine maintenance would be done, then can he tell us what he means by routine maintenance and his routine programme for this road?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I can confirm if they are talking about last year; for this year, next week by the 1st to the 3rd of June, there will be an advertisement about the routine maintenance of roads in the country including that particular road as well.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:20 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the responses of the Hon Minister to these two questions -- he has indicated
in both instances that those projects will be attended to as and when funds are made available. Can he give us any indication about when he believes funds would be made available?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, for this road in particular, I have indicated that looking at our projected revenue and expenditure, for the Bibiani town roads, routine maintenance would be advertised in the first week of June. The other ones would unfold with the budgetary provisions that we have so that we would be able to take them on board.
So in terms of funds being available are indicative of the budgetary restrictions we have and when it would be possible to take some of those projects within the context of our budget.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:30 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, I believe the explanation by the Hon Minister really satisfies the Question posed. But then when you state in the Answer that you would only attend to it as and when funds are available, when you have a programme and you know where to go for the funds.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
the “Edward Salia” response to Questions of the type that is under reference is indicative of the situation that we have in the Ministry. The Ministry is seriously constrained by finances and as Hon Members are aware, almost every Colleague here is demanding in one way or the other, the addressing of the road situation in the House.
So, it would be just appropriate that looking at the national context, funding

would not always be available and for that matter, we would look at -- for example, if a situation, which as of now, we may not be able to undertake, taking things under normal consideration, but along the line an emergency may arise along that same route which will give us the push to take on board a road which hitherto would not have been given that serious attention.

So, yes, we would put in a general context that when funds are available, but along the line, it should be possible for the Ministry, under very peculiar circumstances, to address some of those roads under special dispensation.

Asphaltic Overlay for Awaso-Bekwai Road

(Commencement)

Q. 295. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (on behalf of Mr Christopher Addae) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the asphaltic overlay project for the Awaso-Bekwai section of Awaso- Nobekaw road would start.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, this road, the 9 kilometre Awaso-Bekwai road was surface treated during the period 1999 and 2000. It is in a fair condition.
Madam Speaker, there is no immediate plan to undertake an asphaltic overlay of the Awaso-Bekwai section of the Awaso- Nobekaw road. The road will continue to receive routine maintenance until funds are made available for the asphaltic overlay.
Mr Sarfo-Mensah 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in the Hon Minister's Answer, he said the road is in a fair condition. I would like him to define what he means by “fair condition” because some big pot-holes are developing on that road. So what is his definition of a “fair road”?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
the Question was with regard to the asphalting of the surface of that road. We
have already bitumen surfaced that road and if there is anything, it may be pot-holes that need to be sealed. But for the specific demand on the asphalting of the road, we said yes, that would not be possible immediately but we would continue to have the needed maintenance process on that road and that is what we are doing.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Can we have the
next Question --
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
I want to come back to address the word “fair” which he --
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
I thought you
had finished answering the Question? The next Question stands in the name of Hon Albert Kwesi Zigah, Member of Parliament for Ketu South.
Mr Clement K. Humado 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member is unavoidably absent, and he has just called me to step in and ask the Question on his behalf, if you would permit.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Well, unavoidably
absent, what does it mean?
Mr Humado 11:30 a.m.
I can explain what he
told me.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Because everybody
can say “unavoidably”. You have asked a Question and it has been listed and you are always unavoidably absent.
Mr Humado 11:30 a.m.
No, Madam Speaker.
From the reason he gave me, I felt that he could not come.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
What reason is it?
Can we share it with you?
Mr Humado 11:30 a.m.
Yes. He is not well.
Madam Speaker 11:30 a.m.
Well, if he is not
well, he is unavoidably absent.
Additional Toll Booths for Adomi/ Sogakope Bridges
(Provision)
Q. 296. Mr Clement K. Humado (on behalf of Mr Albert Kwasi Zigah) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans his Ministry had to provide additional toll booths at the other ends of Adomi and Sogakope bridges to avoid vehicles queuing on the bridges.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Adomi Bridge serves as an important link between parts of the Eastern and Volta Regions. The bridge is currently experiencing distress as a result of excessive axle load.
In order to increase the life span of the bridge, pending its rehabilitation, there is the need to place a limit on the axle load of vehicles using the bridge.
A temporary toll booth has therefore been provided at the Juapong end of the bridge to avoid vehicles coming from the Juapong end queuing at the main toll booth at the Atimpoku end.
The Ministry has decided to convert this temporary toll booth into a permanent one under our scheme of activities for the next fiscal year.
The Sogakope bridge spans the lower Volta River at Sogakope and Sokpoe in particular. In order to protect the bridge and increase its life span, the Ministry has decided to construct a toll booth at the Sokpoe end of the bridge. This is also expected to be part of our activities for the next fiscal year.
Mr Humado 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
I would like to find out from the Hon Minister whether he would not consider
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:30 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
that is a very noble idea, the Hon Colleague is a regular user of that road and incidentally, that is equally my route everyday or almost every week. Madam Speaker, there is an additional lane along the toll booth which has always been closed and we have directed that especially at weekends, when the traffic volume increases, there is the need to open it for the collection of tolls, which will reduce the queuing of the vehicles onto the bridge.
So that is part of our initial measures that we are taking. And as he noted, we would take that into consideration under the next fiscal year.
Dr A. A. Osei 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in his Answer, the Hon Minister said that a temporary toll booth had therefore been provided at the Juapong end of the bridge. The Minister is aware that quite recently, some citizens of Ghana took over the toll booths -- some unauthorized persons took over the toll booths. Can he assure this House that these temporary booths are secured enough, that in the future no unauthorized persons would be able to take over them.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would just want to indicate to my Colleague that the permanent toll booths are not fullproof from the type of illegal take over that he is talking about. We want to just say that we have taken measures to contain those situations that have generated the type of illegal take over that

he is referring to and the temporary ones would not be exposed to any peculiar take over as he is alleging.
Mr Emmanuel A. Didieye 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Hon Minister whether he has plans to put lighting systems over the Adomi Bridge to enhance it.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it is becoming a national policy to introduce lighting system on almost all bridges throughout the country as a way of reducing even accidents on those bridges and river points. For a start, we have started with the Lower Volta Bridge at Sogakope and we will extend it to those bigger bridges and the Adomi one is not an exception.
What is very important is, the Ministry is in serious discussions with a solar company to provide solar lighting system not only for those bridge points or river points but around accident prone areas which may be due to visibility problems just as along the bridges as well. So it is in part of our programme in the Ministry.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Yes, thank you. Shall we move to the next questioner, Hon Nana Abu-Bonsra (Fomena)?
Reconstruction of Fomena Town Roads
(Resumption)
Q. 297. Mr Richard A. Adiyia (on behalf of Nana Abu-Bonsra) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the re-construction of Fomena town roads which had been suspended since the beginning of 2009 would resume and be completed.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Fomena town road is 3.2 kilometres long. It is located in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti Region.
Current Programme
T h e F o m e n a t o w n r o a d w a s programmed for bitumen surface treatment in 2007. The contract commenced in February, 2008 and should have been completed in February, 2009. Until the project was terminated, only 1.927 m of concrete U-drain had been constructed. The termination was on account of the delay in the execution of the project by the contractor.
Future Programme
Madam Speaker, 2 kilometres of the 3.2 kilometres have been re-packaged for re-award under the District Capital Roads Improvement Projects (DCRIP PH.3) this year. Bids have already been received. Evaluation report on the bids received is currently under preparation for submission to the Regional Tender Review Board for award of the contract.
The contract for the remaining 1.2 kilometres of the town road will be awarded when funds are made available.
Mr Adiyia 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, can the Hon Minister tell us, he should be specific, when the contract was terminated?
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Yes, Hon Minister? [Pause.] Hon Minister - you did not hear him, can we have the question again?
Mr Adiyia 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, my question is, can he be very specific when the contract was terminated?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the project was terminated last year. But what is re-assuring to my Colleague, the concern is about the tarring or the treatment of the road and I am assuring him that under the District Capitals Road Improvement Project (DCRIP), this

road has been captured, to cater for the deficiencies that had come about as a result of the termination of the project. I thought that was more rewarding and satisfying to the people of Fomena than when that project was terminated.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Well, except that you pre-empted the next Question.
Yes, do you have another question?
Mr Adiyia 11:40 a.m.
Yes, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to know from the Hon Minister how much was paid to the contractor at the time of the termination of the contract.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
Yes, Hon Minister, he is more interested in the termination.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I cannot give those details, but definitely, after the termination of the contract, there was the re-packaging that I talked about. And more especially, if you look at the value of work done, that was not a very significant situation which would have made any payment to the contractor.
Madam Speaker, I would want to use this platform to say that some of the bottlenecks we have may be for the fact that there had not been initial mobilization paid to some of those contractors, depending on the tenure of the project, and for that matter, the contractor was paid for the work done, enabling us to re-package this one for the type of award that it has come under now.
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
One more question.
Mr Adiyia 11:40 a.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, no further questions.
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, from the Hon Minister's Answer, the Fomena town roads have been captured under a specific project and I believe the project has a time span. Yet, he concludes
by saying that it will be done when funds are made available. May I know when under that project, District Capitals Road Improvement Projects are funds to be made available to be executed.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, this District Capitals Road Improvement Project is supported by the Japanese Government, and we take on board the town roads that are deemed necessary to be covered under the limited resources that are released at a particular time.
Now that we are covering the major part, the 1.2 kilometres will definitely come on board when we complete that one. We know we cannot concurrently award the 1.2 kilometres along the current one. So when we complete the present phase, the other one would be a matter of course, depending on the availability of funds.
Mr Emmanuel K. Bedzra 11:40 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the Hon Minister what has been done to the contractor who delayed the contract and the contract was terminated. What has been done to him?
Madam Speaker 11:40 a.m.
What has been done to the contractor from whom the contract was taken?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Well, Madam Speaker, the situation is that, if you look at the work that he did before the work was terminated, it was not very significant in terms of the total workload and for that matter, it is a situation that may put him on the darker side of the Ministry's patronage of contractors for such projects.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes, we have one
last Question. Hon Simon Osei-Mensah?
Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, Hon Simon Osei-Mensah is held up at the constituency and has asked me to ask the Question on his behalf.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes?
Road Construction Around Lake Bosomtwe
(Current Status)
Q. 303. Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu (on behalf of Mr Simon Osei-Mensah) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways about the current status of the approved 42 kilometres road construction project around Lake Bosomtwe.
Background
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, Lake Bosomtwe is located in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region. There are about 23 communities in and around the lake basin. The existing links between the communities and major road entering the lake area comprises approximately 40 kilometres.
Current Status
A study was commissioned in December 2008 for the route location and topographic survey of the road corridor.
The study was completed in 2009 with the recommendation that the corridor be developed to facilitate the development of the communities and the promotion of tourism around the lake and its surrounding communities.
Future Programme
The next phase of the programme is to undertake feasibility and engineering studies of the located route corridor. Due to budgetary constraint, this cannot be undertaken in 2010.
The studies would be scheduled for 2011. After the outcome of the studies and based on the availability of funds, the works will then be procured.
Mr Osei-Owusu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the Answer gives me some cause for concern because I travelled around the lake and noticed that a contractor was working on the road and he had actually constructed culverts, but the Answer suggests that nothing has been done at all and it is now that a study is being done. May I know from his Ministry's records, how the contractor got to start work on the project if no engineering studies had been done at all.
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it may not be the total area that had been surveyed. I noted there are 23 communities and the stretch of road is over 40 kilometres. So if one sees a stretch which is being done, it means that there are still outstanding areas that have to be surveyed and planned for engineering. That is what I mean by for this fiscal year, we have not been able to go back to that area. But we are taking that on board for the next fiscal year.
Nana Yaw E. Ofori-Kuraga 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I happen to have seven of the 23 communities around the lake in my constituency -- Bosome-Freho -- and I can tell the Hon Minister that the works that were done there about two or three years ago, were done under the feeder roads project and they have nothing at all to do with what we are talking about here.
I would plead with him as a matter of urgency, to make some funds available, at least, for the feasibility study. He is not even talking about fixing the road, the question is about the feasibility study; he does not even have money for the feasibility study. So when is the road

project actually going to start?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, one of the greatest problems we have in terms of projects that have been awarded early on is that, not much feasibility had been done, let alone the appropriate designs which will influence the appropriate quantities to be provided for budgetary provisions to be made. For us to make sure that when we award such projects, we will have money to fund them, there is the need for the feasibility and the appropriate quantities to be done on them before we come on contract.
So these are some of the limitations we have in terms of rushing to award contracts without these needed background checks done.
Mr Ofori-Kuraga 11:50 a.m.
Thank you, Madam
Speaker --
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Hon Member, you had one chance.
Nana Ofori-Kuraga 11:50 a.m.
It is the same question, I am just clarifying an issue.
The road is completely unmotorable between Abono and Apau and these areas happen to be a major tourist attraction as you know. So I would urge the Hon Minister to give the necessary instructions for, at least, that road to be made motorable.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Any reaction?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, we would consider this appropriately.
Mr Samuel Obodai 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, by the Hon Minister's previous Answer, he did indicate that the problems they had with the previous contracts that were awarded were that, they were just rushing and the financial obligations and other things were not considered critically. Is he
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Well, anyway, Hon Minister?
Mr Joe K. Gidisu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, most often, the pressure on these projects are more political than bureaucratic. So in that wise, it is not that the technocrats are no more there but in terms of, perhaps, effective measures, we have to bring things to order, discipline, which will let us make sure that we only award projects that have been properly quantified and the necessary budgetary provisions made for them.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes, thank you very much, Hon Minister for coming to answer our Questions.
Hon Members, we have finished with item 5, so now, shall we move to item 6 - the laying of Papers?
PAPERS 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
Yes, Hon Majority Leader, where do we move from here? We have item number 7; are we going on with item number 7?
Mr Cletus A. Avoka 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, it appears the environment is disposed to

adjourning to next Tuesday at ten o'clock in the forenoon.

I beg to move.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
The environment?
Mr Avoka 11:50 a.m.
Yes. There are a few committees that will be meeting this afternoon. Given the mood of the House and the fact that today being Friday, we have done so much -- Madam Speaker, you know we started very early -- I beg to move, that we adjourn until Tuesday, next week at 10:00 in the forenoon.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:50 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I believe the Hon Minister alluded to the environment, he really meant the circumstances of the House. The issue raised by the Hon Member for Old Tafo - The Hon Majority Leader is proposing that we adjourn till Tuesday, next week, at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
Madam Speaker, before I second the Motion, may I plead, in line with the Statement he made earlier, that is our resolve to start Sitting at ten o'clock, we plead with Hon Members to be very diligent and attend to the business of this House at ten o'clock everyday.
On that note, Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Madam Speaker 11:50 a.m.
And upon this note, may I thank you and ask the Hon Leaders, if I could see them on the rumour that the Hon Member for Old Tafo was referred to.
ADJOURNMENT 11:50 a.m.
  • [MR J. B. AIDOO