Debates of 15 May 2015

MR SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:45 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Members, Correction of Votes and Proceedings.
  • [No correction was made to the Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 14th May, 2015.]
    • Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Hon Members, we do not have any edition of the Official Report for correction for today, so, we will move on to item number 3 on the Order Paper, which is the Business Statement for the Second Week.
    Yes, Chairman of the Business Committee?
    Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as a member of the Committee, I would want to crave your indulgence and that of the House to present the Business Statement on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Very well.
    BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:45 a.m.
    Chairman of the Business Committee) 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Committee met yesterday, Thursday, 14th May 2015 and arranged Business of the House for the Second Week ending Friday, 22nd May 2015.
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1), the Committee accordingly submits its Report as follows:
    Arrangement of Business
    Question(s)
    Mr Speaker, the Committee has programmed the following Ministers to respond to Questions to be asked of them during the week:
    No. of Question(s)
    i. Minister for Petroleum -- 1
    ii. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources -- 2
    iii. Minister for Transport -- 1
    iv. Minister for Trade and Industry -- 1
    v. Minister for Food and Agriculture -- 2
    vi. Minister for Youth and Sports -- 1
    vii. Minister for Power -- 5
    viii. Minister for Roads and Highways -- 6
    Total number of Questions -- 19
    Mr Speaker, eight (8) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to nineteen (19) Questions during the week.
    Statements
    Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70 (2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Your goodself may also admit Statements to be made in the House by Hon Members in accordance with Order 72.
    Bills, Papers and Reports
    Mr Speaker, Bills may be presented to the House for First Reading and those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119. Papers and committee reports may also be presented to the House.
    Motions and Resolutions
    Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
    Conclusion
    Mr Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order 160(2) and subject to Standing Order 53, the Committee submits to this Honourable House, the order in which the Business of the House shall be taken during the week.

    Questions --

    *392. Mr Mustapha Ussif (Yagaba/ Kubori): To ask the Minister for Petroleum the actual total cost of the Atuabo Gas Project.

    *393. Mr Yaw Owusu-Boateng (Asene/ Akroso/Manso): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources what policy is there to safeguard our mineral resources at places where non-mining projects are taking place (e.g. the Birim Basin).

    *394. Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah (Atiwa West): To ask the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources what steps are being taken by the Ministry to regulate and control the current rampant illegal mining activities in the Atiwa West Constituency.

    *400.Mr Justice Joe Appiah (Ablekuma North): To ask the Minister for Transport what plans the Ministry has to rehabilitate broken down buses of Metro Mass Transit to improve public transport system in the country.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers --

    (a) Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT, EDAIF, ECOWAS Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, and with- holding tax liabilities on local and foreign supplies and other project-related imports amoun- ting to two million, one hundred and fifty-five thousand, seven hundred and twenty Ghana cedis (GH¢2,155,720) including with- holding taxes to the contractor on payments on purchases and installation amounting to two million, nine hundred and forty- seven thousand, five hundred United States dollars (US$2,947,500) required for the implementation of the Ghana Excise Tax Stamp
    Chairman of the Business Committee) 10:45 a.m.
    Programme under the Contract Agreement between the Govern- ment of the Republic of Ghana and Authentix, U.S.A. for the procurement of a Tax Stamp System.
    (b) Annual Report on Presidential Office Staff for the period January to December 2014.
    Consideration Stage of Bills --
    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013. (Continuation of debate)
    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    *399. Mr Francis Adu-Blay Koffie (Prestea/Huni Valley): To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry whether there are plans by the Ministry to turn Aboso Glass Factory into a technical institute.

    *402. Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei (Nsuta- Kwamang Beposo): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture the status on “Census of Agricul- ture (CA)”.

    *403. Mr Kwame Asafu-Adjei (Nsuta- Kwamang Beposo): To ask the Minister for Food and Agriculture the status of the Broiler Project started in September 2014.

    *362. Mr Stephen M. E. K. Ackah (Suaman): To ask the Minister for Youth and Sports what has stalled the completion of the multi-purpose sports court at Dadieso Senior High School in the Suaman Constituency.

    Statements

    Presentation of Papers --

    Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Taxes, Customs Duties, Value Added Tax, National Health Insurance Levy, Destination Inspection Fees, EDAIF and ECOWAS Levy amounting to GH¢4,709,061.00 on goods and equipment required for the implementation of the Protocol Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana and the African Development Fund on the Engaging Local Communities in Reduced Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+)/Enhancement of Carbon Stocks Project).

    Consideration Stage of Bills --

    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013. (Continuation of debate)

    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    *231. Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei (Akim Swedru): To ask the Minister for Power when the following towns will be connected to the National Electricity Grid: (i) Adinkrom, (ii) Otwereso Praso, (iii) Yawdensukrom (iv) Kroboase, (v) Mensakrom, (vi) Apoli Ningo, (vii) Ofosukrom, (viii) Oforikrom.

    *249. Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the National Grid will be extended to the following communities: (i) Kpalgigbene,(ii)Kuni, (iii) Kulkpene, (iv) Bini, (v) Choo, (vi) Kpugli, (vii)

    Bogni, (viii) Kpalsonado, (ix) Kuga, (x) Gbetobu, (xi) Bunbon, (xii) Gundowagri, (xiii) Kpanjamba, (xiv) Kpachiyili, (xv) Kpaku/Dagbanja (xvi) Paansiya.

    *250. Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity supply from the National Grid will be extended to the following new settlements of Yendi township in the Yendi Municipality: (i) Walyapala, (ii) Mendogu, (iii) Kalbila, (iv) Sikafuo, (v) Gamanzi, (vi) Saasigli, (vii) Guntingli.

    *286. Mr Benito Owusu-Bio (Atwima Nwabiagya North): To ask the Minister for Power when the following towns in the Atwima Nwabiagya District would be connected to the National Electrification Grid: (i) Boahenkwaa No. 1, (ii) Boahenkwaa No. 2, (iii) Achina, (iv) Adagya, (v) Worapong.

    *288. Mr Robert Sarfo-Mensah (Asunafo North): To ask the Minister for Power when electricity will be extended to the following communities: (i) Asukese, (ii) Kyirikasa, (iii) Ebetoda, (iv) Peterkrom, (v) Suntreso, (vi) Mireku, (vii) Adututu, (viii) Boakyekrom, (ix) Kwabenagyam.

    Statements

    Motion --

    Third Reading of Bills --

    Conduct of Public Officers Bill, 2013.

    (b) Adoption of the Report of the Representatives from the

    Parliament of Ghana to the ECOWAS Parliament on the Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held from 2nd to 7th February 2015 in Abuja, Nigeria.

    Committee sittings.

    Questions --

    *245. Mr Francis Manu-Adabor (Ahafo-Ano South East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Fawomang to Sabronum will be upgraded and tarred.

    *246. Mr Francis Manu-Adabor (Ahafo-Ano South East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Dwinyama through Biemso No. 1, Fufuo and Barekese will be upgraded and tarred.

    *247. Mr Francis Manu-Adabor (Ahafo-Ano South East): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the road from Pokukrom through Ahwerewam to Sabronum will be upgrade and tarred.

    *248. Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad (Yendi): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways when the stretch of the road from Oti- Damanku to Gushegu will be tarred.

    *251. Mr Moses Anim (Trobu): To ask the Minister for Roads and Highways the status of construc- tion of the road from Ofankor Old Town timber market linking the Ofankor overpass to the Ofankor lorry station.
    Mr Speaker 10:45 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Effutu?
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on the 20th of February, 2015, your able Hon First Deputy Speaker directed the Business Committee to schedule the Hon Minister for Finance to appear before this House on a matter which I raised with respect to a comfort letter issued by the Minister for Finance to support the Karpower Emergency Supply of 450 MW of electricity.
    Mr Speaker, I brought this matter up again on the 25th of March, whereupon your very goodself was in the Chair, and your position was that, since your able Hon First Deputy Speaker did not give a timeline, same could not be construed to mean that the Business Committee had delayed, and I took a cue.
    However, Mr Speaker, I still hold the view that, over eight weeks is sufficient time for the Business Committee to take the ruling of the Chair serious. This is because, the issue of dumsor, dumsor, to wit, persistent power outages, is a matter of public interest. This House being the elected representatives of the people, ought to be briefed when the Chair directs, else it would create the impression that when Mr Speaker makes a ruling, same is disregarded.
    But Mr Speaker, we know the consequences. So, I am humbly drawing your attention to the said ruling whether same must be deemed to have been set aside or still remains.
    I am grateful, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member for Effutu, I will ask you to give me copies of those editions of the Official Reports of those days -- the order of my Hon First Deputy and the one that you referred to when you said I was presiding. Let me get what transpired; it is the first time the issue cropped up. I will do the necessary consultations and then if I will have to give any guidance to the House, I will do that.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am also seeking your guidance on a matter that was raised with the Chair of the Business Committee before we rose the last time. This matter relates to the fact that the

    Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) requires that this House approves the programme and activities of the national oil company, which is Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). That is the law.

    Mr Speaker, as it is, GNPC-- a very reputable corporate entity is operating without approval. I do not blame them. The Chairman of the Business Committee promised that as soon as we come back
    -- 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have jotted the concerns of my Hon Colleague and definitely, I would take it up at the Business Committee. I want to assure him that it would be discussed at the next Business Committee meeting and probably, get it scheduled. We have to work in tandem with the agency. If he says we should just put it on Tuesday, when we have not given them enough notice, today is Friday and it may be difficult. But we would take it to the Business Committee for discussion and probably, schedule it. That is an assurance from me.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo, if there is a legal obligation imposed on a statutory body and that statutory body is not performing or discharging that legal obligation, what do we do?
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not want to get too much deep into it.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, you are referring to the law. [Interruption.]
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. If you recall, I engaged you on this and I do not want to create a scene. We want GNPC to work.
    Mr Speaker, that is why I hinted that our Committee on Mines and Energy, knowing very well of procedures, has met them on this matter. What they should have done was to compel the Hon Minister to --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member for Sekondi?
    Papa Owusu-Ankomah 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe that in order to facilitate the Business of this House and as much as possible, to build some consensus on certain matters, discussions of such a
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    I thought you were going to assist me? [Laughter.]
    Hon Muntaka, you are representing the Chairman of the Business Committee, please, try and find out when they want to bring that matter to the House; if not, I will give consequential directives, so that they could use other tools available to bring the Minister responsible here as the last resort.
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the assurance is that we would definitely discuss this at the Business Committee meeting and report to the House.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    But could you draw the Minister responsible for that sector's attention to this matter that has been raised and give me a feedback?
    Alhaji Muntaka 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that is exactly what I mean by saying that we would discuss it. We would get the Minister involved and look at when we should schedule him and report to the House. If we would be able to do it even within this Business Statement, we would get back to you and probably --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Under the law, which committee is supposed to handle that matter? Is it Finance Committee or the House?
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the House.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    That is what the law says?
    Very well.
    And do you think that it has not been approved?
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I can confirm that it has not been made. I can also confirm that the Committee met them at Senchi to look at such documents. So, I am leading to a point that perhaps, you should talk to members of the Committee.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Very well.
    We will take the promise that has been made.
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, a related matter -- since it relates to the same Minister -- even when you were First Deputy Speaker, I brought it up. It is the matter of the contract of Sinopec. Four years/five years, the project is completed. Let us do the proper thing by approving it. It is an international commercial transaction. Given that it is completed, fine. We needed the gas but at least, let us --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, with the advice on the Sinopec, is it that we cannot make a ruling on that matter because there are people who hold the view that there is no need for that matter to be brought to the House? So, that is why I am saying that if you feel that this is a matter that needs to be brought and it has not been brought, there are certain legal implications, I would suggest that you -- [Interruption.]
    Dr A. A. Osei 10:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, Sinopec is 100 per cent Chinese-owned and you are aware of that. So, if anybody has a different matter, I am surprised.
    Mr Speaker, I did not want to go through that route but for the sake of the nation, let us do the proper thing.
    Mr Speaker, I am told by Ghana Gas that they have made it available to the Hon Minister. That is why I am worried. So, if the Business Committee could look into that, it would help this House.
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    Is that the Hon Member for Okaikwoi Central?
    Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah 10:55 a.m.
    That is so, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker, at our last meeting, the Hon Member for Sekondi, Papa Owusu- Ankomah raised an important issue with regard to article 187 (6), and you gave a very important directive in that regard. I want to find out, if I may refresh your memory --
    Mr Speaker 10:55 a.m.
    I am aware of that matter. I have done some consultations with the Auditor-General's Office and they have also expressed their opinion on the matter.
    Hon Members, these are not matters that we will like to discuss on the floor of the House. So, maybe, you may want to come and see me in the Lobby -- or Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi -- so that I can discuss the thinking of the Auditor- General's Office on the matter with any of you.
    Mr Boamah 11:05 a.m.
    Very well, I am grateful, Mr Speaker.
    Dr Richard W. Anane 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am just revisiting what has been raised in the past few months.
    Dr Richard W. Anane 11:05 a.m.


    In February, last year, we raised a Private Member 's Motion on the Capitation Policy and the associated problems which happened in the Ashanti Region. Recognising the importance of the Policy and the roll out, you even directed that this should be a bi-partisan Motion.

    Mr Speaker, this was concluded way back in May, but we do appreciate that over the period, there have been reshuffles. At least, we recognise the difficulty. So, we have been waiting, and sometimes we also have to go on recess.

    Now that we have a substantive Minister for Health, and now that we have just resumed, I thought I had to bring this to the floor again for your consideration, so that the Hon Minister would come, as was agreed by the House, to brief the House on the way forward.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we will take it up. But what he said, that there is a substantive Minister -- the House approved the Minister yesterday; the Minister has not yet been sworn in. So, I hope that -- [Interruption.]
    Dr Anane 11:05 a.m.
    Sorry, Mr Speaker. I think that word is wrong. We have an Hon Minister nominated by the President, who has been vetted by the Appointments Committee but the House is yet to approve it.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    In fact, we have approved -- [Interruption.]
    Dr Anane 11:05 a.m.
    The Hon Minister is now approved and therefore, I expect that what I requested may be taken up when the Minister has been sworn in. But that would be based on your direction, Mr Speaker.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we will take it up. I do remember that the former Hon Minister for Health came to this House to answer on this issue. We will check, and if it has not been done, we will take it up. I do remember very well that Dr Agyemang Mensah, as Minister for Health then, came to this House to give answers.
    We will check, specifically on the capitation, and if it has not been done, we will arrange and get the Hon Minister, or even the Hon Deputy Minister to come and brief the House.
    Dr Anane 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, just to remind him it was following a Question on the Health Insurance Scheme; it was not specifically on the issue.
    Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what is happening now clearly shows that the Business Committee would have to perhaps, have a way of checking directives given by your goodself or your good office on what to do as a Committee. If Hon Members come here and raise issues of directives that have been given by you but which are yet to be scheduled by the Business Committee, it does not augur well for this House.
    It is as though you give directives and then we do not implement those directives. So, there should be a way out. The Business Committee should fashion a way to actually follow up on your directives, so that at least, some of these things would not recur.
    In fact, Hon Afenyo-Markin made reference to a directive which was given way back in February, and he is also making reference to a directive or an issue which was raised way back in February.
    If issues were raised way back in February and till date they have not been scheduled, I think it does not speak well for this House, more especially when people are questioning the oversight
    responsibility of this House on the Executive.
    Mr Speaker, I would just like to urge the Business Committee to be more proactive and more active than they have been doing.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would not want us to debate this. Like all of us know, activities of the Business Committee are handled by the Table Office in correspondence with Hon Ministers that have been scheduled to be ready. Sometimes, we may have an activity, we write, the Ministry writes back saying that give them up to a particular time.
    Unfortunately, the Clerks-at-the-Table do not have audience on the floor, that is why I am saying that we will discuss this thoroughly at the Business Committee and come back to the House.
    Many a time when we write, they inform us of when it is possible, whether the information is gathered and what have you. But I agree that we need to brief you extensively on most of these issues, so that we do not have this reoccurrence. We will take it up seriously.
    Mr Awuah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think my Hon Colleague is not getting the point I made. What I am saying is that, if a Speaker gives a directive --
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Member, some of the issues you are raising are not directives from the Chair, and that is the reason I want to be very sure with regard to the directive given by Mr First Deputy Speaker.
    That was why I asked the Hon Member for Effutu to bring me the Official Report, then together, we can consider it. I was not too clear whether there was a directive.
    With regard to the other issues raised by Hon Papa Owusu-Ankomah concerning the Auditor-General's Report, whether we should set up another committee and all those things, again, there was no directive.
    It was an issue that was raised based on the concern of the House and observations over the years with regard to what to do with the Auditor-General's Reports, and we decided to do the necessary consultation. I just indicated that I did that with the Auditor-General's Office and they had a certain position and we ought to discuss it further, but not on the floor of the House.
    So, let the Hon Member for Effutu bring the Official Report on the issue, and then together, we will look at it.
    Again, the one by the Hon Member for Old Tafo, his issue about Sinopec. It is an issue I have been raising for so many years. There was no directive from the Chair on that matter. So, let us draw the distinction between the two.
    Hon Members, that brings us to the end of the consideration of the Business Statement for the Second Week ending Friday, 22nd May, 2015.
    Business Statement accordingly adopted subject to the issues that the Hon Majority Leader said he was going to take up.
    Hon Members-- Questions.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would like to crave your indulgence and that of the House for the Hon Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Develop- ment to answer the Question on behalf of the Hon Minister. The Hon Minister is attending an international meeting of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in Rome.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    In other words, he is not in the jurisdiction?
    Very well.
    Mr Awuah 11:05 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that has been the practice of this House. I have no difficulty in accepting it.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Members, the first Question on the Order Paper is Question number 401 standing in the name of the Hon Member for Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/ Abrem.
    Mr Speaker 11:05 a.m.
    Hon Member, you have the floor.
    ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 11:15 a.m.
    MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND 11:15 a.m.
    AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Which paragraphs are you referring to?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, paragraph 2, line 7, to paragraphs 3 and 4.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    So, take your time. Let us take them one by one, so that we get exactly what you are correcting.
    Let us start with paragraph 2.
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we delete from “however” to “this takes effect from 7th May, 2015”.
    Mr Speaker, as I respond to this Question, I will provide the appropriate rendition in respect.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Very well.
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Mr Speaker, premix fuel, a heavily subsidised petroleum product is used by fishermen in the coastal and inland areas to power outboard motors in their canoes for their fishing expeditions.
    The Government's objective to ensure the timely availability of premix fuel to fishermen at an affordable price is on course. However, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) received a letter from the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) dated 18th March, 2015 with reference no. DM/EJS/kpod/R.13/15, that the refinery had run out of the blue dye used in producing premix fuel.
    The supply of premix fuel was disrupted from 20th April to 7th May, 2015. However ,TOR took delivery of two hundred kilogramme (200kg) of the blue dye from South Africa on 7th May, 2015 and has resumed supply of premix fuel on 8th May, 2015.
    In the meantime, TOR has taken the necessary steps to procure the requisite quantity of blue dye that would be used for production throughout the year to avert supply disruptions of premix fuel on the market.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, your supplementary question; if any?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
    The first line reads “premix fuel a heavily subsidised petroleum product.” In Elimina today, officially, it is GH¢7.30 per gallon. How heavy is the subsidy?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not get the last sentence.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    His question is that, in your first paragraph, you talked about premix fuel being heavily subsidised. He asked, to what extent is the subsidy?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, as we all know, the Government of Ghana has subsidised premix fuel by 50 per cent, and the selling price of premix fuel is GH¢7.10 per gallon and not GH¢7.30.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    She said it is 50 per cent. That is the answer she has provided.
    Your next supplementary question, Hon Member?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, years back, the traditional authorities and the chief fishermen were members of the landing beach committees and any profit that accrued from the sale of premix fuel, they are involved in the disbursement. In fact, some of the traditional authorities used part to buy sanitation and other equipment for the landing beaches.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Minister, the composition of landing beach committees today, which has led to an individual in Elimina, for instance, selling this premix fuel at GH¢14.00 per gallon. Nobody knows what comes with the disbursement. What is the composition?
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, have you finished posing the question?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Yes Mr Speaker.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, is your question about the cost or about the composition of the committee?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, when the chiefs -- traditional authorities and the chief fishermen were involved in the committee, they were also involved in the disbursement of the profit. I would want to find out the composition of the committee today. This is a case that the Hon Deputy Minister is aware of --
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, this is not supplementary. Your Question is about the intervention; it is not about the composition of committees. So, please, rephrase the question.
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, what is the composition of landing beach committees today? -- [Interruption..]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    That is not a supplementary question -- [Interruption.]
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer, trucks have been fitted with tracking devices, which will be used to avoid diversion.
    I would want to find out from the Hon Deputy Minister, whether these tracking devices would be able to avoid these
    diversions; the reason is that the one tracking this leaves in Accra, and if he finds out that the truck which is meant for Elimina, for instance, is diverted to Shama, what collaborative effort does the Ministry have with the Ghana Police Service to effect arrest immediately?
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes? I was going to call the Hon Deputy Minister to -
    Dr Anthony Akoto Osei 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just need your guidance.
    The difficulty is that she has amended her Answer, and this question that he is raising has now been charged. We do not know the full content of her amended Answer. That was the import of what she said.
    So, if he asks a question on this --
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo, the Hon Deputy Minister informed the House that she was going to update the Answer, and we will get the full rendition as she responds to the Question. -- nobody objected at that time. I even suggested that she takes them paragraph by paragraph. She said that we will get the rendition as she reads. Nobody objected. So, when she was reading, I took notes.
    As I sat down here, I took notes about the import from South Africa, and when they resumed on the 8th of May, 2015 and all those things. So, I believe that the Hon Member in whose name the Question stands should have also taken notes and listened to her carefully. If there is a particular area he is not clear about, he can pose it to the Hon Deputy Minister to clarify.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
    That is precisely what I mean.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.


    The difficulty though is that, the Hon Member should have a copy of the amended Answer -- [Interruption] -- he could not have; we do not work that way here. He should have a copy.

    11. 25 a. m.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, if you have an extra copy of what you read, make it available to the Hon Member. [Pause.]
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe I would want to answer the Hon Member's question.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    One thing at a time. The Hon Member raised an issue, and I am asking that if you have an extra copy of your Answer, then make a copy available, so that it would be presented to the Hon Member who is posing the Question to you. They are making a copy available to the Hon Member?
    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I just want to inform you that earlier on, before we entered, the Hon Deputy Minister went to the Hon Member concerned, showed the differences to him and they discussed.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, once a Question is posed and an Answer is provided, it becomes an issue for the whole House, not only for the Hon Member in whose name the Question stands. That is what the rules allow. After
    the Hon Member exhausts the three supplementary questions, any Hon Member of the House is called upon to ask further supplementary questions.
    So, I have resolved that matter. Hon Member for Old Tafo, I have resolved the issue that you are right to raise it on the floor.
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, since I do not have copies of what I read, I would want to tender in my copy to the Hon Member.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, we have got a copy which have been made available to the Hon Member, so continue.
    Please, Hon Member, can you ask your question again. I have admitted it but --
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with the tracking device, it is here that “only trucks fitted with tracking devices will be used to avoid diversion.” I would want to find out from the Hon Minister whether this is enough to avoid diversion.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on a on point of -- [Interruptions.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member for Old Tafo, you are completely out of order. A question has been asked, and I have called the Hon Deputy Minister to respond to the Question.
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, if you would hear me out, the import of my discomfiture is that the question the Hon Member is asking is part of what the Hon Minister has deleted. She said; “delete from “however” to “7th May, 2015”.
    His question is part of it, and if it is not part of the Answer, then a question cannot be asked on it.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Do you have a copy?
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
    No, Mr Speaker. I do not.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    The Hon Member has a copy. I have directed that officially, a copy should be given to him, and he is asking the question.
    Hon Deputy Minister, I do not have a copy of your current Answer. Has that been deleted?
    Hon Member, do you have a copy of the new Answer?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, I have a copy of the new Answer.
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Is the “tracking device” part of the Answer?
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is no more in the -- [Interruptions.]
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Objection sustained
    Dr A. A. Osei 11:15 a.m.
    Thank you.
    Dr Arthur 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my last question. I want to find out from the Hon Minister, the trend of supply, in terms of volumes, to the various landing beaches.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    On a Point of Order.
    Mr Speaker, you had earlier said that an issue came up and nobody questions it, so we could not go on.
    specific Question. It is a Question that
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Member, to whom are you raising the point of order against? What Order has the Hon Member breached, and whom are you raising the point of order against?
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am raising it against the line of question which is coming to the Hon Deputy Minister, and I ground it on the fact that the Answer, which is now in circulation, at least, for now, for the convenience of this very purpose, he alone has it.
    I am saying that, the fact that it is not a constituency-specific Question, Hon Members, who have interest in asking questions on it, may not have the opportunity to cite the Answer to enable them ask the relevant questions.
    Therefore, Mr Speaker, my humble application, which I feel inclined that you may grant is that, this matter should be deferred or stood down for the time being for copies of the amended Answer made available to all of us, so that we could appropriately deal with the matter.
    I am grateful exceedingly, Mr Speaker, in anticipation of a favourable response from you.
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:15 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my Colleague is grossly out of order. The reason is that when our Colleague did apply to the Hon Speaker, to make the amendment, so that Hon Members get the rendition as the Hon Deputy Minister fully reads, nobody raised an objection.
    It meant that when it got to where she amended, we were going to take note of what she read. Mr Speaker, because that had happened, now, we are asking supplementary questions, the Hon Afenyo-Markin is claiming that he cannot see, when he chose not to jot down notes
    Mr Speaker 11:15 a.m.
    Hon Members, you know that the point raised by the Hon Member for Effutu might be very legitimate. In fact, that was the time he should have raised the issue that we should defer it and go to other Questions, so that copies of the new Answer would be made available to the House before we get to it.
    In fact, I even moved a step further to say that the Hon Deputy Minister should take it paragraph by paragraph. But she responded by saying that we would get the rendition as she goes through the response, and I was thinking that some Hon Members were going to raise an issue at that point. But I did not get anybody raising an issue, and I thought that the House was satisfied.
    I am a servant of the House, and I thought that the House was satisfied. So, I allowed her to go and now, half way through, the Hon Member was going to ask his last question, the Hon Member for Effutu is saying that we should suspend, and now distribute the amended Answer.
    Hon Member for Effutu, I think that would not be fair. Let us make progress in the House.
    Hon Dr Nana Ato Arthur, your last question.
    Dr Arthur 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on paragraph two: “the government's objective is to ensure a timely availability of premix fuel.”
    Mr Speaker, what is the trend of supply, in terms of volumes to the various landing beach centres?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish I could give him figures or numbers per landing beach, but I do not have that information available. I know very well that, at least, every fortnight, distribution is made to the various landing beaches.
    Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, from the response of the Hon Deputy Minister, she said that the situation had arisen because of the fact that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) ran out of blue dye.
    Why did the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) run out of blue dye? Was it a case of lack of resources or was it because the Ministry was not able to provide resources for TOR? What specific steps are being put in place to prevent the re- occurrence of such a situation, not only for a year, as it is indicated in the Answer, but throughout? This is because premix fuel is a very important ingredient for the fishing industry and the fishing industry is currently seriously under lack of premix fuel --
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Member, pose your question; you are arguing. The rules do not allow that.
    Dr Appiah-Kubi 11:35 a.m.
    That is the question. My question is why did TOR run out of blue dye and what specific steps -- Was it the case that the Ministry did not give sufficient money to import?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I believe we all know that TOR works directly under the Ministry of Petroleum and I am here for the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. As such, I cannot disclose management matters in TOR. [Hear! Hear!]
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    The last two, Hon Members for Ablekuma North and Akuapem South.
    Mr Justice Joe Appiah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, reliable information is that there are shortages of blue dye. May I ask the Hon Deputy Minister what date and time they are going to procure the blue dye for the premix production?
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the blue dye that is needed for the whole year's production has been ordered by TOR from the United Kingdom (UK). But because of the emergency situation we had, we had to airlift 200 kilogram from South Africa because the one from UK is coming by sea and would take some time. So because we have the interest of the fishermen at heart - [Interruptions.] We wanted to expedite action by making sure that the blue dye comes in time for the fishermen to get the premix fuel.
    Mr O. B. Amoah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, in the Hon Deputy Minister's Answer, she said the quantity of blue dye had been imported from South Africa. I would want to know the cost of the blue dye for a whole year and the quantity of the blue dye for the whole year.
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I really appreciate the question my Hon Colleague asked but I do not have the figures at the moment. I will provide the Hon Member with the figures in due course.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Last question, Hon Deputy Minority Whip.
    Mr Awuah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Deputy Minister, in her Answer, indicated that she is not the Minister responsible for Petroleum to answer a question on TOR. Mr Speaker, in her Answer, she says that blue dye is used in the production of premix fuel.
    I just want to know from the Hon Deputy Minister the role of blue dye in the production of premix fuel to the extent that its absence can cause a whole important aspect of our lives to be relegated to the background or to be ignored for all this period.
    Mrs Okity-Duah 11:35 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we all know the composition of premix fuel is made up of engine oil and diesel. To differentiate the product from other petroleum products, we add the blue dye to differentiate the premix because of diversion. Usually, we have the problem of diversion; so, we had to add the dye to differentiate it.
    Mr Speaker 11:35 a.m.
    Hon Deputy Minister, we thank you very much for attending upon the House to respond to Questions from Hon Members. [Hear! Hear!]
    Question number 220.
    MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
    Alhaji Muntaka 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, we got to Question number 220.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Very well. It stands in the name of Hon Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi.
    MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 11:40 a.m.
    HIGHWAYS 11:40 a.m.
    Minister for Roads and Highways (Alhaji Inusah A. B. Fuseini) 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Background
    Kromoase - Aburaso - Yabi - Akosomo
    Kromoase- Aburaso - Yabi - Akosomo feeder road is 4.4 kilometres long and located in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region. It is a gravel road in a fair condition.
    Current Programme
    A total of 3.0 kilometres from Kromoase - Akosomo have been programmed for upgrading to bituminous surface under the 2015 Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) Budget. Evaluation of bids to select a contractor for the works is currently ongoing.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies would be con- ducted for the remaining 1.4 kilometres stretch from Akosomo to Dida in August, 2015 and depending on the outcome, the section will be tarred under the 2016 Budget.
    Dr Appiah Kubi 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Speaker, indeed, I wish to submit that these Questions, 220 and 221 were submitted long time ago. In the meantime, I can accept the fact that progress has been made on that road concerning these two Questions.
    I thank the Hon Minister and the Ministry for the information and the progress made so far. I am happy with the information provided by the Hon Minister and I would want to plead with him, that the construction works on that road are fast tracked to speed the work on it. This is not the first time that the road has been awarded on contract and I wish that this time --
    11. 45 a.m.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, this is Question time.
    Dr Appiah-Kubi 11:40 a.m.
    Let me congratulate the Ministry a bit for the work that they have done -- [Interruption.] Does it always need to be a Question? So, I hope that the Hon Minister would include the bypass from Kromase-Aburaso road because that cannot be done without that piece of road. It is less than one kilometre and I cannot go there if they do not continue to do that road without --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, I think I have given you more than enough time.
    Alhaji I. A.B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I think that all I can say is that, yes, procurement takes time and the Questions were filed at the time that we were doing the procurement. We have since gone unto the road and we are doing it.
    However, we will consider the Hon Member's appeal to vary the contract to include the bypass and see what can be done to alleviate the suffering of the people along the corridor.
    Thank you.
    Mr Awuah 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister says that the 3.0 kilometres from Kromoase to Akosombo have been programmed for upgrading to bituminous surface under the 2015 Department of Feeder Road's Budget.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister for Finance came here sometime in March, 2015, to give a Statement to this House. In that Statement, he indicated that, all new capital projects were going to be suspended. So, I just want to know from the Hon Minister if this project is going to be undertaken in this 2015 Budget programme. The Hon Minister also said

    that capital projects for 2015 were going to be suspended; how would he reconcile his position with that of the Hon Minister for Finance?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Minister?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, my understanding of what the Hon Minister came to do when he came to Parliament to give us information on the impact of the fall in petroleum prices on the budget was that, he was going to slash the budget ceilings that had been given to all the Ministries and that is what he did. And that forces on us, as a Ministry, the duty to prioritise. If we say that we want to do this in 2015, it only means that we have prioritised this road and we are going to use the limited resources that we have to do it.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Members, we move on to the next Question, which, again, stands in the name of Hon Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi.
    Repair of Ampeyoo -Trede link road
    Q.220. Dr Kojo Appiah-Kubi asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what steps the Ministry was taking to repair the Ampeyoo -Trede link road, which was in a deplorable state.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Ampeyoo -Trede link road
    Background
    The Ampeyoo -Trede feeder road is part of the Ahodwo -Daaban -Trede feeder road which is 18.8 kilometres long and located in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region. It is a bituminous surfaced road with sectional failures. The low lying section of the road requires maintenance intervention of sectional reconstruction while the rest requires resealing due to increased traffic volume.
    Current programme
    A 2.0 kilometres Sectional Improvement from Ampabene -Trede is currently ongoing.
    Future programme
    The remaining length of 16.8 kilometres which include the section from Ampeyoo to Ampabene has been programmed for upgrading under the 2015 Budget, which will be advertised by 29th May, 2015.
    It is important to add that, indeed, some parts of the roads have simply gone on advertisement today.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Any supplementary question?
    Dr Appiah-Kubi 11:40 a.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker, indeed, I am aware that certain sections of the road are being done and I thank the Hon Minister once again for doing that on my behalf. But I would only wish and plead with him that he brings pressure to bear on the contractor to speed up works on that road.
    I thank the Hon Minister.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Thank you.
    Hon Members, we now move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of Hon Mohammed Salisu Bamba.
    Rehabilitation of Drukuman- Kantankani, Ashakoko-Asuogya,
    Sekyedumase -Drobon roads.
    Q. 222. Mr Mohammed Salisu Bamba asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the following roads would be rehabilitated: (i) Drumankuma - Kantankani (ii) Ashakoko - Asuogya (iii) Sekyedumase to Drobon.
    Alhaji I. A. B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, on Dromankuma and Kantankani, I would like to inform the Hon Member of Parliament, Hon Mohammed Salisu Bamba that that road has been advertised in today's Ghanaian Times, requesting for bids for work to commence on it.
    i) Dromankuma -Kantankani
    Background
    The Drumankuma - Kantakani feeder road is 9.0 kilometres long. The road forms part of the Drumankuma-Kantankani- Mbanaa feeder road with a total length of 21.0 kilometres. It is a gravel road with a fair to poor surface condition and located in the Ejura Sekyedumase District of the Ashanti Region.
    Current Programme
    Routine maintenance (Reshaping) is programmed for execution under 2015 routine maintenance budget for the 21.0 kilometres gravel road.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies will be conducted during the third quarter of 2015 and based on the outcome of the studies the necessary intervention will be undertaken.
    ii) Ashakoko -Asuogya
    Background
    The Ashakoko -Asuogya feeder Road is 11.0 kilometres long. It is non- engineered and located in the Ejura Sekyedumase District of the Ashanti Region.
    Future Programme
    A road condition survey will be conducted during the third quarter of this year and based on the outcome of the studies the necessary intervention will be undertaken.
    iii) Sekyedumase - Drobon
    Background
    The Sekyedumase - Drobon feeder road is 7.0 kilometres long. It is a gravel road with fair surface condition and located in the Ejura Sekyedumase District of Ashanti Region.
    Current Programme
    Under the 2015 Routine Maintenance Budget, the road has been programmed for reshaping. Advertisement for the works will be done by the end of third quarter, 2015.
    Future Programme
    Road condition survey will be conducted on the road in 2015 and the outcome will determine the needed intervention.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, any supplementary question?
    Mr Bamba 11:40 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker. Hon Minister, what interim measures would the Ministry take to at least, repair the parts of the road that are not motorable before the third quarter?
    Alhaji I. A. B. Fuseini 11:40 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the third quarter programme is intended to be when the engineering studies would be done. But I have just informed the Hon Member that, parts of the road have been advertised for routine maintenance and we intend to move to procure works for the road and move expeditiously to save the road from further deterioration.
    Thank you.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:40 a.m.
    Hon Member, supplementary, if you have any?
    Mr Bamba 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Minister, we are talking about three different roads. You said that today there was an advertise- ment of the road in the Ghanaian Times. Which of the roads is advertised today? Is it the Sekyedumase to Drobon road?
    Alhaji I. A. B. F useini 11:55 a.m.
    The Drumankuma- Kantankani Road has been advertised.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, your last supplementary question, if any?
    Mr Bamba 11:55 a.m.
    Concerning the Ashakoko -Asuogya stretch of the road, in your Answer, you talked about your future plans. Currently, do you have any plans of doing something on that road since the place is a trap point for armed robbers?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, that road is non-engineered, so we need to do a lot of things before we can commit Government resources into it. A survey would be done on that road to determine the intervention to be taken. So we would plead with you to exercise a bit of restraint and when the survey is done, the road would be engineered and we could intervene in a meaningful way that would serve the people in that community and your goodself.
    Thank you.
    Mr Henry K. Kokofu 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, this road in question, I happen to have a fair knowledge of the area and the conditions of the road. I would like to know from the Hon Minister whether he is aware - Since when were maintenance works done on these roads? I ask because I think that we have not been fair to the people of the area since they produce a lot of foodstuffs, yet the road network is very bad and they find it difficult to cart their foodstuffs to Ejura.
    Alhaji I. A. B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was given the condition for three roads and he is talking about another road, so it might be better for him to come properly, so that I know which road he is talking about.
    Mr Kokofu 11:55 a.m.
    I mean the three different categories of roads that you have been dealing with.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the three roads have different statuses. We have said that the Drumankum- Kantankani road, which in our view, is a very important road but which is in a poor to fair condition, deserves attention now and that is why we caused an advertisement to be placed to procure works for that road.
    The other two roads, particularly the Ashakoko-Asuogya road is un- engineered. It is a road that has been used over time by farmers and we need to engineer that road before we can commit resources there.
    For the Sekyedumase to Drobon road, we have programmed routine maintenance during the third quarter. So, there is an elaborate plan for the three roads in that area. We have not at all neglected the people but have plans for them; we care for them.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, these Questions are constituency- specific.
    Mr Kokofu 11:55 a.m.
    I agree, Mr Speaker, but my senior Colleague, maybe, missed my point. I wanted to know the last time maintenance was done on these roads.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    I thought he was very clear in his Answer?
    Mr Kokofu 11:55 a.m.
    He talked about future programmes and I am talking about the past.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    He did not only talk about the future; he gave a background and the current position and then talked about the future.
    Mr Kokofu 11:55 a.m.
    Thank you, Mr Speaker.
    Mr Alexander K. Afenyo-Markin 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, just a point of clarification because I also missed it as to what works have been done so far. I tried to follow the Answer but I equally missed it. I tried to make some notes and it did not specifically talk about the last time work was done on these roads. Perhaps, he could check again and address same and we would be grateful because it is not so stated.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I have come here to answer a Question and the Question is about when the following roads would be rehabilitated and not when they were rehabilitated. That is not the Question I have been asked to answer.
    Mr Afenyo-Markin 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, with the greatest respect, the Question is about when the roads would be rehabilitated and that is why when he said he had already answered and given an Answer on when some work was done, I said, no. This is because I was also following. What my Hon Colleague seeks to know is an update on the last time some work was done.
    Now, he says from his own answer that the Answer he gave is with respect to when some work would be done. He has not given an answer as to the last time work was done. I think it is a fair --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    I think it is because that was not the nature of the Question that was put to him. The Question asked him to tell us when work would be done and that relates to the future. If you want to ask a Question relating to the last time work was done, you have to come again.

    Hon Members, we move on to the next Question which stands in the name of Hon Grace Addo (Manso-Nkwanta).
    Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Member is unavailable and she has asked me to ask the Question on her behalf.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Very well. Go ahead.
    Completion of tarring of Pakyi I to Antoakrom road
    Q. 223. Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh (on behalf of Ms Grace Addo) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the tarring of the Pakyi I to Antoakrom Road in the Manso-Nkwanta Constituency would be completed.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Pakyi 1 - Antoakrom
    Background
    The Pakyi 1 - Antoakrom feeder road is 22.8 kilometres long and located in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region. The first 12.5 kilometres are bituminous surfaced while the remaining 10.3 kilometres are gravel surfaced. The gravel section has a fair surface condition while the bituminous section has developed potholes.
    Current Programme
    Routine maintenance (Pothole patching) is programmed for execution under 2015 routine maintenance budget for the 12.5 kilometres bituminous surface section while reshaping is programmed for the remaining 10.3 kilometres gravel section. Advertisement for the works will
    be published -- and indeed I would like to inform Hon Colleagues that it has been published on page 3 of today's copy of the Ghanaian Times indicating the works that were undertaken on this particular road.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies have been conducted on the 10.3 kilometres gravel surface section and shall be programmed for execution.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I wish to know from the Hon Minister what the source of funding for this particular project is and how reliable it is.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    The pothole patching would be done under our routine maintenance programme supported by the Road Fund, a Fund that we in Parliament put in place for road maintenance activities and money would be available to do the pothole patching.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Hon Member, your second supplementary question?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 11:55 a.m.
    In 2014, there was a similar provision for that particular road but it never saw the light of day. What is the assurance that this time, it would see the light of day?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 11:55 a.m.
    Mr Speaker, I was not there when the project did not see the light of day and I have no information that a provision was made for this particular project in 2014. The assurance I give you is contained in today's Ghanaian Times that this project has been programmed for execution and bids are being invited.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:55 a.m.
    Your last supplementary question.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, it is the Hon Minister's word against mine. I have done my checks and I am just giving out that information and he has the right to take it. It was programmed in 2014 but it was not done. That is just an information.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Hon Member, he has given an answer to that question.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Rightly so.
    My last supplementary question -- Clearly, there is some seeming delay --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    You have exhausted your supplementary questions.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this is the last supplementary question.
    Can the Hon Minister tell the entire House what necessitated this seeming delay in the release of the funds?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    I do not understand where you are coming from with the words “seeming delay”.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if we look at the answers the Hon Minister gave and also in the face of the checks I have done at the Ministry, there was some delay before the notice was put up that the road was going to be constructed. From that time, I had the notification to date, in my own personal assessment, I tag that as a delay. So, I am putting the question back to him. What caused this seeming delay for construction work to start on the road?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    I will have felt more comfortable if in the course of his Answer he gave certain dates, based on those dates you are deducing that there was some kind of a delay. But I did not see anything like that here and so, I am hard put to it in allowing this question. Of course, if the Hon Minister has some answer, he can be free to give it.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, in my Answer, I did not speak about the problems about release of funds. I believe
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, we move on to the next Question, which also stands in the name of Hon Grace Addo. Do you still have her permission to ask the Question?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Mr Speaker. I do have her permission.
    Rehabilitation of Pakyi Banko to Asarekrom Road
    Q. 224. Mr Frank Annor-Dompreh (on behalf of) Ms Grace Addo asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Pakyi Banko to Asarekrom road in the Manso-Nkwanta Constituency would be rehabilitated.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Pakyi Banko-Asarekrom
    Background
    Pakyi Banko and Asarekrom are located on two different road segments; Pakyi Banko -Nyade junction feeder road is 8.0 kilometres and Asarekrom junction- Asarekrom -Nyade-Nweneso No.3 road is 11.0 kilometres. They are located in the Amansie West and Atwima Kwanwoma Districts of the Ashanti Region. Both roads are gravel surfaced in a poor to fair surface condition.
    Current Programme
    The 19.0 kilometres road has been programmed for reshaping under the 2015 routine maintenance budget.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies will be conducted on the road in the third quarter of 2015 and due consideration will be given for rehabilitation.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, reports from the Hon Minister's own Ministry shows that releases for routine maintenance work is hugely erratic. What is the assurance that this time, the very release for this project for routine road maintenance would be released timeously to ensure that the job is done as planned?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, let me put it on record that if anybody has informed my Hon Colleague about releases for routine maintenance work, that would be a misinformation.
    Routine maintenance works that are funded by the Road Fund are funded pursuant to budget. All the Departments do a budget of activities that they would want to undertake within the year and allocations are made to the Departments. If the projects are awarded and certificates are raised, they are charged against the various allocations.
    So, the money would be sitting there, collected by the Controller and Accountant-General-Department (CAGD) and transferred to the Road Fund as and when they accrue and so, they would not be released. Probably, releases can only be applied here from the CAGD into the Road Fund Account.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is my very good Friend and I would subsequently make available the very report I am making recourse to. So, we can leave this matter to rest.
    My next supplementary question is, how does the Hon Minister define “routine maintenance work”? In other words, what constitutes routine maintenance on our road?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    The definition is in the two words; “routine” which means periodic, every time; and “maintenance” which means keeping the road in shape. It is in the --
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:05 p.m.
    The Hon Minister says “routine”, “periodic” “all the time”. It cannot be all the time? Periodic cannot be all the time.
    Alhaji Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, “all the time”, is used to define “periodic”.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Yes, Hon Member, any further supplementary question?
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my very last one.
    From the Hon Minister's own answers -- I see the Hon Deputy Minister making some signals to me but I do not know what that means.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    But who prevents him from doing so?
    Hon Member, ask your question.
    Mr Annoh-Dompreh 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, following the importance of that particular stretch of the road, could the Hon Minister tell us why engineering work was not done earlier on the road?
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:05 p.m.
    Is it of any relevance to the original Question?
    Very well.
    Alhaji I.A.B Fuseini 12:05 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, we wish we could have done it earlier, but we are doing it by programme.
    Mr Ignatius B. Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister just stated that, the release of funds has never been a problem for routine maintenance projects, because when works are done and certificates are raised, they are paid. I just want to know from the Hon Minister if he still stands by that statement. What has necessitated the build-up of arrears in the road sector in the budget?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I said that funds are not released to the Departments. I said when IPs are raised, they are charged against the allocations and I know that my Hon Friend is a good financial —
    Mr Speaker, arrears can be in many ways. When, like the Hon Member who asked a question early on said, we could vary the contracts to include the small stretch of road that is a bypass—If that was not programmed for, but then the exigencies of the time and the importance of the work warrant our varying the contract, that is extra expenditure, probably, unbudgeted for. Indeed, I can see my predecessor here.
    Many years ago, when the funds were not flowing into the Road Fund, the leadership of the previous Government went in for a facility to be able to retire some of these arrears, which loans are still outstanding and which are arrears against the Road Fund. There are many instances where arrears accrue but not necessarily out of the non-payment of the money.
    Dr Richard W. Anane — rose —
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, are you up on a point of order?
    Dr Anane 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, just to clarify a point.
    I happened to have been a Minister for the sector over a certain period. I am definitely not his predecessor for the time.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, they are definitely in the quantum of work to be done. I agree with the Hon Member, but in the nature of work as well -- That is what routine maintenance is.
    Mr Speaker, I know and agree with the Hon Member that Government is a continuing—Whatever be the case, the Hon Member was the person who superintended over the construction of the office that I am sitting in. I cannot talk about the Ministry and exclude the Hon Member's important contribution to the Ministry. What I am saying is that, in 2002 to 2012, in answering Questions pertaining to the arrears, there was an important decision taken, to take money from Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and pay for arrears which were not retired.
    Those arrears are still standing. I am not saying that that was a wrong decision, because clearly, there was money that was coming into the account and anyone could leverage on the account to retire debts. It is in that context that I mentioned the Hon Member's name.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, we move on to the next Question, which stands in the name of Hon Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, Sunyani East.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, unfortunately, Hon Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh is not around and has asked me to ask this Question on his behalf.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Leave is granted.
    Sunyani-Wawasua, Wawasua- Kurasua, et cetera Roads
    (Reshaping and Tarring)
    Q244. Mr Ignatius Baffour Awua (on behalf of Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Sunyani -Wawasua and Wawasua - Kurasua Nos. 1 and 2 Feeder roads would be reshaped and tarred.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker,
    Sunyani-Wawasua
    Background
    Sunyani-Wawasua is an 8.2 kilometres collector road from Baakoniaba to Wawasua village, a food growing community within the Sunyani Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region.
    Current programme
    The road is currently undergoing upgrading works which comprises drainage works and sealing. Currently, seven out of eight of the culverts have been completed. The progress of works stands at 35 per cent and it is scheduled for completion in June, 2016.
    Wawasua-Kurasua No.1-Kurasua No. 2
    Background
    The Wawasua-Kurasua No.1-Krosua No. 2 road is 9.6 kilometres long. It is an engineered road which is located in the Sunyani Municipality.
    Current Programme
    In 2014, the roads were awarded under routine maintenance programme for reshaping. The reshaping of the roads were completed in March, 2015.
    Future Programme
    Engineering studies will be conducted on the road in the third quarter. Depending on the outcome of the studies, consideration will be given for tarring.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to know from the Hon Minister, which of the various agencies under his Ministry is responsible for this particular road?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, this road is in the Sunyani Municipality, but Wawasua-Kurasua No.1 and 2 are feeder roads. Most likely, it is the Department of Feeder Roads that is doing it.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, the Hon Minister is not definite. He said “most likely”, which is not a definite statement. My question was, which agency under his Ministry is responsible for the construction of this road?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, if you would indulge me for a few minutes, the heads of the agencies are here and they would tell me which particular agency is responsible.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I do not want to conclude that the Hon Minister is not on top of this particular road project—He should be able to tell me which of the various agencies is responsible for this project.
    Mr Speaker, the reason I am asking this question is that, part of the road falls within the urban sector and part also falls within the rural setting. I just want to know which agency is responsible for the urban part of it and which agency is also responsible for the rural part.
    This is because the designs would not be the same for all the sections of the road and that is why I posed that question.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, indeed, in answering the Hon Member's question, I did say “it is likely” because the road is in the Sunyani Municipality and that would be an urban setting, but they are talking about feeder roads. I will provide him with a definite answer -- the Department of Feeder Roads is in charge.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I am glad to learn from the Hon Minister that the Department of Feeder Roads is the agency responsible for this road. I just want to ask the Hon Minister, since when has the Department of Feeder Roads been responsible for the development of urban roads.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, my understanding at the Ministry of Roads and Highways is that, there is no clear cut jurisdictional lines between the Department of Feeder Roads, Department of Urban Roads and Ghana Highways Authority because of the nature of the roads. In this particular case, the Department of Feeder Roads is constructing the road.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:15 p.m.
    Hon Member, your last follow-up question, if any.
    Mr Awuah 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I hope the Hansard has captured what the Minister said, that there are no clear-cut lines between the roles of the various agencies.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, because the road goes through many phases and upgrading is being done now, one would have to look at the structure of the road and determine whether it is fit to go for tarring. If it is not fit to go for tarring, we would have to work on those sections that are weak and would need to be supported, if not, when we tar them, they would give way.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:15 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I hope I did not hear the Hon Minister say that “there is no clear-cut jurisdictional boundary” between the three agencies.
    Mr Speaker, that cannot be— [Interruption]—No! He said there are no clear-cut lines. There must be clear-cut lines and that is why they are separate agencies. I can imagine when there is an issue like this, one would give it to the other. There must be.
    Mr Speaker, is the Hon Minister going on record that he stands by this statement because the laws setting up these agencies give them clear-cut juris- dictions?
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I agree that the laws set up these agencies. In fact, the laws set up the Ghana Highways Authority but the Department of Feeder Roads and the Department of Urban Roads are not set up by law; they are administrative structures.
    Dr A. A. Osei 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Tafo has always been an urban area. Let us not go there. [Laughter.]
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, Tafo could never always have been an urban area. It even flies in the face of history. He cannot say that. No community started as an urban community. He should not say that. [Interruption.]
    So, what I am saying is that, even in Accra, Cape Coast and Tamale, areas that were hitherto rural have grown. Road use has changed and as they change, the jurisdictional lines also change. That is what I meant by saying “no clear cut”.
    Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to suggest to the Hon Minister for Roads and Highways that there is a functional classification of the road network in Ghana.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Are you asking a question? [Laughter.]
    Mr Addai-Nimoh 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I would want to supply the Hon Minister with that information and that is the reason we have the Ghana Highways Authority responsible for all the trunk roads in our country; Department of Urban Roads responsible for the Metropolitan and the Municipal Assembly roads and then the Department of Feeder Roads -- So, I am suggesting to him that there is a clear-cut jurisdiction for all these agencies and therefore --
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Hon Member, I will not allow you to suggest it to him. His answer was very clear; it is a question of progress. Some rural communities with time grow into urban communities and therefore, the Department of Feeder Roads, which originally had jurisdiction over the roads there would no longer have jurisdiction since they have metamorphosed into urban areas. That is all that he is saying.
    Mr Addai-Nimoh 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Alhaji I.A.B. Fuseini 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I did not talk of functional responsibilities; I talked about jurisdictional; they are different. The road is constructed to perform a certain function; when the function changes, it affects jurisdiction. I said that because of functional changes, presently, at the Ministry of Roads and
    Highways, we have got a consultant to do a re-classification of the roads because functions have changed. So, they are different things and I appreciate his concern.
    Mr First Deputy Speaker 12:25 p.m.
    Very well.
    Hon Members, I believe this brings us to the end of Question time.
    Hon Minister for Roads and High- ways, we thank you for attending upon this House.
    Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
    Alhaji Mohammed-Muntaka Muntaka 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, there are some Committee works to be done and today is Friday, so, I would want to thank Hon Members for the endurance. I therefore beg to move, that this House stands adjourned till Tuesday at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
    Thank you.
    Mr Dominic B. A. Nitiwul 12:25 p.m.
    Mr Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.
    Question put and Motion agreed to.
    ADJOURNMENT 12:25 p.m.