Debates of 8 Feb 2019

MR FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:35 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:35 a.m.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, correction of Votes and Proceedings of Thursday, 7th February, 2019.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon Members, item numbered 3 -- Presenta- tion of the Business Statement for the Third Week.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE 10:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:35 a.m.
Arrangement of Business
Formal Communications by the Speaker
Mr Speaker, you may read any available communication to the House.
Question(s)
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee has scheduled the following Ministers to respond to Questions asked of them during the week:
No. of Question(s)
i. Minister for Communications -- 1
ii. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture -- 1
iii. Minister for Local Government and Rural Development -- 1
iv. Minister for Education -- 3
v. Minister for Employment and Labour Relations -- 2
vi. Minister for the Interior -- 1
vii. Minister for Health -- 4
Total Number of Questions -- 13
Mr Speaker, seven (7) Ministers are expected to attend upon the House to respond to thirteen (13) Questions during the week.
Statements
Mr Speaker, pursuant to Order 70(2), Ministers of State may be permitted to make Statements of Government policy. Statements duly admitted by the Rt Hon Speaker may 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 in accordance with Order 120. However, those of urgent nature may be taken through the various stages in one day in accordance with Order 119.
Pursuant to Order 75, Papers for presentation to the House may be placed on the Order Paper for laying. Committee reports may also be presented to the House for consideration.
Motions and Resolutions
Mr Speaker, Motions may be debated and their consequential Resolutions, if any, taken during the week.
Address by H. E. The President
Mr Speaker, the Business Committee takes this opportunity to inform the House that H. E. the President of the Republic is expected to deliver a Message on the State of the Nation on Thursday, 21st February, 2019, in accordance with article 67 of the Constitution.
This is to give prior notice to all Hon. Members to aid them in planning their affairs during the week of the delivery of the Message by the President.
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 under consideration.

Questions

*486. Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central): To ask the Minister for Communications what steps are being taken to improve mobile telephony in remote parts of Amenfi Central.

*491. Mr George Nenyi Kojo Andah (Awutu-Senya West): To ask the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture what plans the Ministry has to commence work on the Senya Landing Beach Wharf for which the sod cutting was done by the late Hon. Gladys Asmah in the year 2008.

Statements

Motions --

Adoption of the Report of the Finance Committee on the Request for waiver of Import Duties, Import VAT/GETFund Levy, Import NHIL, ECOWAS Levy, EXIM Levy, Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana cedi equivalent of eight hundred and two thousand, two hundred and sixty-two euros
Mr Speaker, the Committee accordingly submits its report as follows 10:35 a.m.
(€802,262.00) on project materials and equipment to be imported for the implementation of the “Serv ices for the Enhancement of Nationwide Water Network Management'' Project by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
Consequential Resolution
Consideration Stage of Bills.
Payment Systems and Services Bill, 2018. (Continuation)
Committee sittings.

Questions

*492. Mr George Nenyi Kojo Andah (Awutu-Senya West): To ask the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development the reason for the suspension of work on the Bawjiase Central Market, when work on the project will commence and the scheduled completion date.

*503. Mr John Majisi (Krachi Nchumuru): To ask the Minister for Education when work will resume and be completed on the following GETFund projects in the Krachi Nchumuru District:

i. 3-Unit Classroom Block at Bejamse;

ii. 3-Unit Classroom Block at Boafri;

iii. 3-Unit Classroom Block at Motoka.

*504. Mr Albert Akuka Alalzuuga (Garu): To ask the Minister for Education the measures the Ministry is taking to ensure timely completion of the Community Senior High Schools that are yet to be completed.

*505. Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe (Akatsi North): To ask the Minister for Education what steps the Ministry is taking to stop public universities from charging high graduation fees on students.

Statements

Presentation of Papers--

Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Suppliers Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Knights A.S. of the Czech Republic for an amount of ten million euros (€10,000,000.00) for the Supply of three hundred (300) sets of GLOBAL multipurpose mini tractors and two hundred and twenty (220) Compact Tractors, including active and passive accessories and spare parts for distribution to small and medium scale farmers in Ghana.

Motions

Third Reading of Bills--

Right to Information Bill, 2018.

Consideration Stage of Bills--

Payment Systems and Services Bill. 2018. (Continuation)

Committee sittings.

Questions--

*508. Mr Richard Mawuli Kwaku Quashigah (Keta): To ask the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations how many public sector workers have gone on retirement since 2016 to date.

*509. Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome (South Tongu): To ask the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations the Government's plan to integrate the recently exited personnel of the security module of the National Youth Employment Agency programme into the security agencies.

*530. Mr Peter Yaw Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central): To ask the Minister for the Interior when a District Fire Service office will be constructed at the District Capital of Amenfi Central.

Statements

Consideration Stage of Bills--

Payment Systems and Services Bill, 2018. (Continuation)

Chartered Institute of Bankers (Ghana) Bill, 2018.

Committee sittings.

Questions--

*495. Mr Simon Acheampong Tampi (Tatale/Sanguli): To ask the Minister for Health why the N.H.I.S.

office in Zabzugu district, which is serving the two districts of Zabzugu and Tatale/Sanguli, is not registering new entrants of the scheme for the past four (4) months.

*496. Mr Alexander Roosevelt Hottordze (Central Tongu): To ask the Minister for Health when the Mafi-Kumase health centre, which has a very large catchment area, will be upgraded to a polyclinic.

*497. Dr Sebastian Ngmenenso San- daare (Daffiama/Bussie/Issa): To ask the Minister for Health how ready the public health system is to prevent Ebola epidemic in the country.

*531. Mr Mohammed Abdul-Aziz (Mion): To ask the Minister for Health when the Ministry will open the University of Ghana medical centre to the public.

Statements

Motions--

(a) Third Reading of Bills --

Payment Systems and Services Bill,

2018.

(b) Adoption of the Report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs on the Suppliers Credit Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Ghana (represented by the Food and Agriculture and Knights A.S. of the Czech Republic for an amount of ten million euros (€10,000,000.00) for the Supply of three hundred (300) sets of
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for North Tongu?
Mr Ablakwa 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful for the opportunity. I thank the Hon Majority Chief Whip for the very competent presentation of the Business Statement for the Third Week ending Friday, 15th February, 2019.
Mr Speaker, I have one issue to raise, which has to do with the Joint Caucus, which was advertised last week. Unfortunately, it could not be held, and I was expecting that it would have been programmed for the ensuing week, but there is no mention of that.
So I would want to draw the attention of the Hon Majority Chief Whip, so that we may revisit it, because there are very important matters that we would need to raise in Caucus.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Effutu?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity once again, and I also thank the Hon Majority Chief Whip for presenting the Business Statement to the House.
Mr Speaker, in his submission, he said that Hon Ministers have been programmed to answer Questions, and they would also have the opportunity to make Statements of Government policy.
Mr Speaker, however, yesterday, there was a demonstration in Accra and today, it is reported that the Police did so well because it was an incident-free demons- tration, and the Police demonstrated professionalism, and so our democracy is being applauded. I was going to suggest that if the Business Committee could consider --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member for Effutu, where is your seat?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Patricia Appiagyei sits next to me but she, most of the time, takes my seat. However, I have Hon Friends at where I am sitting now and so, I most at times come to sit here. But if that is your pleasure, I would go and sit by her.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
All right, I would permit you to use this seat to make your submission, but after that, you should go back to your seat.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Very well, Mr Speaker, but the Hon Patricia Appiagyei must not disturb me.
Mr Speaker, therefore, my suggestion is that the Business Committee should consider inviting the Ministry of the Interior to brief this House on the support systems that his outfit has put in place in ensuring this success, particularly so, coming from the Police.
That is very important because whenever we see some seeming institutional failure, we talk about them. So, when there is an institutional success, this is a House of records, and it is important that we get the Hon Minister to brief us on how they were able to achieve this success.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, I believe that your point is well made, that the Hon Minister for the Interior should brief the House about the happenings at the by-elections and --
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
No, Mr Speaker, I mean the demonstration.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
The Business Committee would consider that.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would move on to my second point. [Interruption.]
Mr Speaker, the Hon Minority Chief Whip is not speaking into the microphone, but he is --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, you should address me.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am addressing you.

Mr Speaker, I would move on to my second issue. I was in this House on Wednesday, and the events on that day, where your directive was subjected to debate, must be discussed. I am saying so because --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, should it be discussed in the Business Statement? Do not worry, we would consider that at the Leadership meeting.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, with respect, I need to lay a foundation.
Mr Speaker, in the presentation of the Business Statement, the Hon Majority Chief Whip tells us that the order of Business would be in accord with our rules. I am therefore saying that the events of last Wednesday, must not repeat itself in the ensuing week.
There would be debate, there would be matters arising, and where any Hon Member has an issue with your order or directive, that person must follow the rules of this House. There should not be situations where you would be disrespected.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am only urging Hon Members to comply, thank you.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
All right, thank you.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Keta.
Mr Quashigah 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, it is
obvious that some happenings were out of order, which you rightly pointed out.
Mr Speaker, I would want to take us to page two of the Business Statement, and it has to do with Question starred 508, which stands in my name, scheduled for Thursday, 14th February, 2019, in which I intend to ask the Hon Minister for Employment and Labour Relations how many public sector workers have gone on retirement since 2016 to date.
Mr Speaker, when I asked this Question, it was within the remit of that time, which was in early 2018. So if we couch it this way; “to date”, it would not reflect what I had intended at the time.
So, I would want to bring the attention of the Hon Majority Chief Whip to the fact that this was a Question related to a specific period, which had a certain purposeful undertone at the time.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Hon Member, the Question as it stands, is a Question that was submitted. When it comes to be answered, you could modify it because that is the reason for the follow- up questions. But if you would want to withdraw the Question, then that could also be done on Thursday, when it is due.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, Hon Member for Adaklu?
Mr Agbodza 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Majority Chief Whip for presenting this Business Statement.
Mr Speaker, I would request the Hon Majority Chief Whip to consider the request I made last week. The Hon Chairman of the Business Committee
should consider scheduling the Hon Minister responsible for National Security and the Hon Minister for the Interior, to brief Parliament on all the allegations of brutality that took place at the Ayawaso West Wuogon.
Mr Speaker, last week, when I made the attempt, I was told that I did not come properly. This is just an appeal, just as my Hon Colleague had done, for the Hon Minister for National Security to come before this House. This is a very serious matter. I believe this is a bigger issue in this country --
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
I believe that I have already ruled that they should arrange for them to come to the House.
Mr Agbodza 10:45 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, I am grateful for your directive.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
Yes, Hon Agalga?
Mr Agalga 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I just wanted to add my voice to what my learned Hon Colleague had said.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
It is not necessary. If you are not adding a new dimension, then the point is well made.
Mr Agalga 10:45 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to add the new dimension and to furnish the House with some important information.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:45 a.m.
You could bring a Statement if you wish, but this is the Business Statement and we are only considering the Business of next week.
Thank you.
Yes, Hon Majority Chief Whip?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 10:55 a.m.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I thank my Hon Colleagues for their interventions. It is true that a Joint Caucus Meeting was scheduled for this week but it could not come on because of the obvious absence of the two Hon Leaders.
So I was having a discussion with the Hon Deputy Minority Leader this morning. We have agreed on Wednesday for the Joint Caucus Meeting. Surely, it would come off within the ensuing week.
Mr Speaker, as regards the request for an invitation to the Hon Minister for the Interior to brief the House on successful demonstration, the Business Committee would consider it.
Mr Speaker, you have given an answer to the concern of Hon Quashigah about his Question. Also, like I have said in relation to Hon Afenyo-Markin's issue, the issue raised by Hon Agbodza would be taken together by the Business Committee.
Mr Speaker, I am most grateful.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Very well.
Yes, Hon Member for Effutu?
Mr Afenyo-Markin 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am a member of the Committee on Defence and Interior. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was invited by the Committee on the matter of Ayawaso West Wuogon disturbances, and he has briefed us already.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Member, you are out of order.
The Business Statement as presented is hereby adopted.
Item numbered 4 -- Questions. The first Question goes to the Hon Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and it is to be asked by Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad, the Hon Member for Yendi.
Mr Salifu Adam Braimah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to ask the Question on behalf of the Hon Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi. I am Salifu Adam Braimah, the MP for Salaga South.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Seek my permission first.
Mr Braimah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I seek your permission to ask the Question on behalf of Alhaji Habibu Tijani Mohammad.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Very well. You may ask the Question.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 10:55 a.m.
MINISTRY OF SANITATION AND 10:55 a.m.
WATER RESOURCES 10:55 a.m.
Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah) 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, currently, the Yendi Water Supply system which supplies water to the Yendi Municipality and other surrounding towns and communities was built in 1961.
Additionally, 3 boreholes were constructed and mechanised in 2015 to supplement the surface water supply system. The combined average
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Hon Member, do you have a follow-up question?
Mr Braimah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am done.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Are you satisfied with the Hon Minister's Answer?
Mr Braimah 10:55 a.m.
Yes, Mr Speaker.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 10:55 a.m.
Very well. Hon Minister, we thank you for attending upon the House to answer the Question. You are discharged.
The second Question is to be answered by the Hon Minister for Roads and
Highways. Question starred 526 is in the name of Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Hon Member for Ningo-Prampram. You may ask your Question.
MINISTRY OF ROADS AND 10:55 a.m.
HIGHWAYS 10:55 a.m.
Minister for Roads and Highways (Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah) 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, The Tema - Aflao road is part of the National Route N1. The route connects Aflao (the nation's border with Togo) to Tema and Accra.
The Tema roundabout to Kpone Junction through the Free Zone are in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly and Ningo- Prampram District of the Greater Accra Region.
The surface condition of the Tema - Aflao road is rated good condition. The road surface is asphaltic concrete.
Current programme
In 2018, an inspection of the Tema Roundabout - Kpone Junction revealed that the road surface has deteriorated with potholes. The contractor working on the Dawhenya Afienya road project was instructed to treat the defective surface and overlay with asphalt.
The contractor, however, after completing repair works and overlay on the East bound lanes suspended works
on the West bound carriageway due to lack of payment.
Future programme
The completion of the remedial works for the Tema Steel area on the Tema - Aflao road will be completed in 2019 as soon as outstanding payments due the contractor arc made.
Mr George 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Hon Minister for the response given. However, once again, as I did earlier this week with regard to specific timelines within 2019, that stretch creates huge inconvenience for many of my constituents who live in Devtraco, Community 25 and all the way to Dawhenya who work in Tema and Accra.
In the mornings, the traffic jam there is in excess of an hour, which affect people including Ministers of State who live in that area and use that stretch. Could we get specifics with regards to timelines?
Mr Amoako-Attah 10:55 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I could not have agreed more with my colleague, the Hon Member, because I live in Tema and so I know that stretch of road which is being complained of. Fortunately, he is one MP who has been working closely with me on his road.
I would like to assure him that he would receive priority attention during the current year, and within this first quarter, we shall pay urgent attention to it.
Mr George 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am happy to hear the Hon Minister give us a timeline of the first quarter. We are already halfway into the first quarter, so it is good to know, but again, I cannot overemphasise the importance.
It was at that very junction that one of the trucks loaded with rocks to the Tema Harbour Expansion Project dropped one of the rocks onto a BMW vehicle because of the holes there, and it killed the two occupants of that vehicle. So it is not just the traffic, but even loss of lives.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Member, kindly asked your follow-up question.
Mr George 11:05 a.m.
My follow-up question is to thank the Hon Minister for giving me the first quarter deadline, and reminding him that the first quarter is halfway gone already.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Construction of Feeder Roads: Bawdie- Suhyensu- Mansiso, Adesu-Afransie-
Wassa Ajumako Boyekrom *527. Mr Patrick Bogyako-Saime
asked the Minister for Roads and Highways what plans the Ministry had for the construction of the following feeder roads: (i) Bawdie Suhyenso - Mansiso (ii) Adesu - Afransie - Wassa Ajumako Boyekrom.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
1. Bawdie - Suhyenso - Mansiso Feeder Road
TheBawdie-Suhyenso -Mans iso feeder road is identified on the Department of Feeder Road database as two separate road links; Bawdie - Suhyenso - Nananko (17.70km) which is engineered but in poor condition and Suhyenso - Mansiso (7.00km) which is partially engineered, and a branch off road. Both roads are located in the Amenfi East District of the Western Region.
Mr Bogyako-Saime 11:05 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of the Hon Minister to the fact that I really know for a fact that the 17.70 kilometres Bawdie- Suhyensu-Nananko road was really awarded by COCOBOD on contract, and work actually started on it.
I could count about 11 culverts having already been made there, so I do not know how it was abandoned, obviously perhaps because of COCOBOD's discontinuation of the roads.
So I would just like to draw the Hon Minister's attention to the fact that it was not started at all, or it was abandoned due to lack of funds. The project really took off.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Hon Minister, he says that his evidence is different, that it was abandoned due to lack of funds.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, we do not have that record, but the assurance I could give to my Hon Colleague is that it came under the COCOBOD road programme, and there has been a firm agreement between my Ministry, COCOBOD and the Ministry of Agriculture.
My Ministry has, however, taken over all the COCOBOD roads in the country. It would be considered and even if we do not have adequate records in our custody, we shall consider that particular road under the COCOBOD programme.
So that is the assurance I can give to my Hon Colleague.
Mr Bogyako-Saime 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I would want to draw the attention of the Hon Minister again to the fact that time is of essence here on this particular road, because that is where the constituency is considering siting our One District One Factory and of course, road is a crucial infrastructure for the purpose and we are also approaching election 2020. [Laughter.]
It is a political road so, I would, at this point, urge the Hon Minister to give us some timelines as a further assurance.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Minister, the Hon Member says his return to the House depends on this road so, what assurance can you give him?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, the essence of time has never been lost on my Ministry, and we know that in all undertakings, particularly when it comes to construction of roads, essence of time plays the central role and it is always key to us.
The assurance I can give to my Hon Colleague is that, as he has already said himself, we would attach all necessary importance to that road and both of us would work together to make sure that the road is brought to bituminous level as quickly as practicable.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Member, you have one more opportunity if you wish to use it.
Mr Bogyako-Saime 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I am all right.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Question starred 528 stands in the name of Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Hon Member for Juaboso.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
The Hon Member for Juaboso may ask his Question and after that, if you want to do a follow- up, I will allow you because that used to be part of your constituency.
Completion of Benchemah Junction- Ajufua Road
528. Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (Juaboso) asked the Minister for Roads and Highways when the Benchemah Junction -- Ajuafua road, the only available route for commuters in the catchment area would be completed to facilitate the movement of persons and goods including in particular cocoa, as the road is currently virtually impassable.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker,
Background
The Benchema Junction - Ajuafua road is part of Inter-Regional route IR 05. This section of the road is in the Juaboso and Bia West Districts of the Western Region. The road length is 39km.
The route IR-05 connects the Ashanti Region and parts of Sefwi area of the Western Region and leads to the border with la Cote d'ivoire at Osei Kojokrom. The road is one of the main routes for the haulage of Cocoa and Timber products in the Western Region.
The road surface is partly gravel and partly bituminous surface treated. The surface is in fair condition.
Current programme
The Ghana Highway Authority Tender Committee has awarded the project on contract after the Central Tender Review Committee gave concurrent approval for
the award. The contract documents are yet to be signed because the Ministry of Finance is resolving the issue of the contractor not including tax in building up the rates for work items.
In addition, the Ministry of Finance is finalising the loan arrangements from ING Bank for Government of Ghana. The loan agreement is a condition precedent to the signing of the contract.
The funding source for the project is 35 per cent ORIO grant, 65 per cent GoG funding through a loan from ING Bank.
Future programme
The contract for the construction of Benchema Junction - Ajuafua project is expected to be signed during the first quarter of 2019. The works are projected to start in the second quarter of 2019.
Mr Akandoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, in the Answer provided by the Hon Minister, he indicated that the road is in fair condition. Mr Speaker, may I know the last time that the Hon Minister visited that stretch of road? I have a pictorial evidence of the road which is in a terribly bad condition, especially when it rains.
Mr Speaker, Hon Members of Parliament who attended the funeral of Hon M. C. Boampong, including Mr Djietror, will attest to this fact. Mr Speaker, may I know -- ?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Are you saying Mr Djietror is an Hon MP? [Laughter.]
Mr Akandoh 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, everybody knows that Mr Djietror is a Clerk.
Mr Speaker, the fact of the matter is that the road is not in fair condition and therefore, the Hon Minister should revise that portion of his Answer.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:15 a.m.
Hon Minister, Hon Akandoh says that your definition of “fair” is different from what is on the ground.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:15 a.m.
Mr Speaker, if we talk about conditions of roads, we talk about three things: the condition mix of the road could be good, fair or poor. These are the three categories of the condition of any road. I mentioned in my Answer that the road is in fair condition.
Mr Speaker, we may have a road which is in fair condition. My Answer to the Question also indicated that it is a gravel- surface road and if a road is either gravel- surface or earth surface, it would take one heavy rain for the road to deteriorate.
So I insist that by our classification, that road is in fair condition. It does not mean that it is in good condition.
Mr Speaker, the Hon Member might have taken that picture, if it is of the road at all, because there is no evidence that what he showed comes from a portion of the road. Granted that it is a portion of the road, the Hon Member captured perhaps a small portion of that road.
Mr Speaker, I am describing the generality of the road. Mr Speaker, I maintain that the description of the entire road is in fair condition.
Mr Akandoh 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, again, the Hon Minister made mention of the fact that they are resolving certain issues with the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Speaker, in the first place, may I know the specific issues and the progress so far made; and why it has also taken the Government that long to organise or sign a contract for the contractor to go to site since the ORIO grant was granted in 2016?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I can only hope that my Hon Colleague followed the Answer to the Question because he wanted to know the specific reasons and these are indicated in the Answer.
If we turn to page 23 of the Order Paper, the first paragraph under ‘Current Programme', I have unambiguously mentioned and stated the reason. Mr Speaker, with your permission, I read:
“The contract documents are yet to be signed because the Ministry of Finance is resolving the issue of the contractor not including tax in building up the rates for work items.
In addition, the Ministry of Finance is finalising the loan arrangements from ING Bank for Government of Ghana. The loan agreement is a condition precedent to the signing of the contract”.
Mr Speaker, so I have clearly and unambiguously stated the reasons for the hold-up. This is a technical exercise being undertaken by the Ministry of Finance and it is outside my jurisdiction.
I only hope that with the continuous follow-up from my Ministry, this would be finalised; a lot depends on the contractor for providing the relevant information, though.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Akandoh 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, let me assure the Hon Minister that the pictures were taken from that road and not any other road. And obviously from 2016 till now, it is quite some time now.
Mr Speaker, before 2016, there was a contractor on the road, where we saw the construction of drains. And now, in the Answer provided, we are even yet to sign
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Minister, is there an existing contractor? What is the effect of the new contract on that road?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, what my Hon Colleague said is partially true. There used to be a contractor and I can give the name of the contractor.
The contractor was Mid-West. He went there to do a specific assignment; that assignment was to make that road motorable at that time because it was in a terrible condition. And he did exactly that. So his job came to an end.
We are now planning to award the road on contract. If it is awarded, it is going to be done by a fresh contractor and so we are going through the procurement process.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
rose
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, you are from an adjunct constituency; I would listen to you.
Mr Augustine Tawiah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, as you have indicated, I strongly attach myself to this Question because the widest stretch of that road leads to my constituency.
And as the Hon Minister indicated in his Answer, it is obvious that the bulk of the cocoa and timber are carried through that road, so in view of the acute nature of that road, something must be done.
The question is, what would he do as an Hon Minister upon seeing this minor bottleneck, which is hindering the execution of the contract, so that work commences on the road as he has indicated?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Minister, you would have to repeat some of the things you have said.
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, every stretch of road lying anywhere in our country is important because roads put together, serve as the pivot around which the economic development of our country revolves.
So every single road anywhere in our country is important, let alone the road in question, because we know that is the area for cocoa and timber production.
And we all know what these two key natural resources do to our country, so let us work together and make sure that we work on that road. Indeed, my Ministry is giving it topmost attention.
The condition of the road, as at now, is not anything to write home about, so I can tell you that in the Western Region in particular, this road is one of the key roads that is receiving urgent attention from my Ministry. So, we are going to work on it as soon as practicable and as soon as funds are available.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member for Jirapa, what has that road got to do with Jirapa? [Laughter.]
Dr Francis Dakura 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, a lot of my constituents are living in that region.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
All right, let me hear you.
Dr Dakura 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, following from the response from the Hon Minister to the last question raised -- The Hon Minister stated that every single road in the country is important.
I just want to find out from the Hon Minister whether he is aware that certain roads in this country seem to be less important than others?
I am saying this in relation to rural MPs because our Common Funds have become targets as substitutes for Road Funds for maintaining feeder roads.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Dakura, file your own Question, please. [Laughter.]
Dr Dakura 11:25 a.m.
And I really would like the Hon Minister to let me know whether some specific amounts are—
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
What I am saying is that your question is disallowed.
Dr Dakura 11:25 a.m.
Mr Speaker, my question now is this—
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Your question is disallowed. Thank you. Kindly resume your Seat.
Hon Ahi, I would listen to you.
Mr Sampson Ahi 11:25 a.m.
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. There is a portion of the road from Sairano to Asempa ne ye. Anytime it rains, it becomes unmotorable. And we are told by the Hon Minister that the actual work may start during the second quarter, which means it could start in June.
So would the Hon Minister consider working on that stretch to make it become motorable before June, so that anytime it rains, the people using that road can use it?
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Minister?
Mr Amoako-Attah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, that would be taken care of because it appears that my Hon Colleague is indicating that within the entire stretch, there is a portion which is in a more critical condition.
It makes sense that such a portion should receive very urgent attention. I believe it is a fair question and I would contact my Hon Colleague later to find out the exact portion, so we could deal with it.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Minister, thank you for attending upon the House to answer Questions. You are discharged.
Hon Majority Chief Whip, what next?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, all the businesses listed for Public Business cannot be done. [Interruption.]
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Very well.
At the Commencement of Public Business, item numbered 6, Presentation of Papers. Are we ready?
Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh 11:35 a.m.
No, Mr Speaker, we are not ready. The Administrator for the District Assemblies Common Fund would be in the House on Tuesday to lay the formula for the distribution of the District Assemblies Common Fund for 2019. So that item should be deferred to next week Tuesday.
The other items listed for transaction can also not be taken, because as we agreed at pre-Sitting, Motions numbered 7 and 8 are still being worked on.
Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, this is a House of records. I heard the Hon Majority Chief Whip say that the Administrator of the District Assemblies' Common Fund would be here on Tuesday to lay a Paper.
We know that it is either the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs or Minister for Local Government and Rural Development who would lay the Paper. I just want the Hon Member to correct the record.
Mr First Deputy Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Thank you, Hon Member, for the correction.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim 11:35 a.m.
Mr Speaker, I rise to second the Motion for adjournment.
Question put and Motion agreed to.
ADJOURNMENT 11:35 a.m.