Minister unveils plans to solve water problems
Accra (Greater Accra)
05 December 2002- Mr Rashid Bawa, Deputy Minister of Education has said it was
significant that Muslims work tirelessly towards the attainment of world peace
and harmony in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Forgiveness and
reconciliation are two pivots of the human ideals that the Ramadan fasting
inculcates in the Muslim and which are two essential ingredients to peaceful
co-existence".
Bawa who is also the
Independent Member of Parliament of Akan Constituency in the Volta Region said
this in statement in Parliament "on the Ramadan and National
Development".
He said the month of
Ramadan comes along with great expectations, assurance and sacrifices for
greater rewards, while in the realm of Spirituality the month comes with the promise
of an uninterrupted inflow of abundant grace and blessings from God.
Bawa said the country
needs the support of all Muslims, especially in "this auspicious
month" to push ahead the aim of government to reconcile the nation and
this can be achieved if Muslims are prepared to forgive one another as part of
the achievements of the one month Ramadan fasting.
Bawa said the
symbolic charity of Zakatul-Fitr and daily feeding of the poor was meant to
energize Muslims to show maximum compassion and care for the distressed and
less fortunate in the society.
He said with the
compassion campaign currently going on in the country, this year's Ramadan
season offers greater opportunity for success in the national drive to draw
attention to the plight of the people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Bawa said, "in
this trying moments of our national economic reconstruction efforts, it was
important to encourage the Muslim to intensify prayers for prosperity, peace
and tranquility in the country.
He said Muslims in
the country must be encouraged to eschew the tendencies of greed, dishonesty,
and violence and demonstrate the highest sense of self-discipline,
truthfulness, moderation and hard work that are important for national progress
and development.
Alhaji Mohammed
Mumuni, NDC_ Kumbungu said Ramadan fasting was regarded as a supreme exercise
and obligation to imbibe in the Muslim the virtues of sacrifice, peace and
goodwill to all mankind.
He said there was
therefore, necessary for Muslims to demonstrate to the citizenry the essence of
Islam by ensuring that all their actions are geared towards fulfilling the
teachings of the religion.
Alhaji Mumuni said
the issue of religious tolerance often becomes critical topic when peace,
submissions and development are discussed and said, as a people there was the
need for all to live in peace and unity and forge ahead as one people with one
destiny.
Alhaji Malik
Al-hassan Yakubu, NPP- Yendi said fasting was common to all religions and has
significance and lessons that could be learnt by all, since it enjoins one to
forgo foul talk, unlawful and forbidden deeds and to stay away from corruption
and all acts of criminal activities and quarreling.
Abu-Bakar Saddique
Boniface, Ind. Salaga said fasting as a religious exercise has the significance
of unity, prosperity and development and Muslims should strive to share with
their colleagues peace, prosperity and tranquility.
He said the month of
Ramadan should be a period when all must be prepared to abstain from all bad
influences, greed, dishonesty and violence and learn to forgive one another
adding that the peaceful co-existence among religious groupings in the country
need recommendation.
Alhaji Issaku Saliah,
NDC-Wa East said there was the need for Muslims to reflect on the benefit of
education and take advantage of the opportunities of the secular educational
system and explore the areas where they are disadvantaged and come out of it
through education.
Osei
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Chief Whip and NPP- Old Tafo-Suame said the month
of Ramadan was a season of contemplation and self-denials and encourages moral
values that should be a constant reminder to believers.
He said it was
necessary for both Muslims and Christians to take advantage of the upcoming
Eid-il-Fitr Ramadan and Christmas festivals to face realities of current
socio-economic development agenda of the country.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra)
05 December 2002-Yaw Barimah, Minister of Works and Housing on Wednesday said
the project for the extension of water transmission pipelines from Weija to
Kasoa would commence before the end of the year.
He said since
Parliament recently approved a loan for the contract for the distribution of
pipeline improvement in the Western Accra area among others and with the
completion of the Weija Rehabilitation and Expansion project, the problem of
insufficiency of water has been removed.
Barimah said this in
answer to a question asked by Mr Sampson Atakora, NDC-Ejura Sekyedumasi on
behalf of Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, NDC-Ga South as to what plans the ministry
has to ensure the supply of pipe-borne water to the villages of Joma, Afuamy,
Ngleshie Amanfro whose lands have been lost to the Weija Dam.
The Minister said
some of the communities in the past, enjoyed pipe-borne water but the problem
has been that of insufficiency of water, extension of transmission,
rehabilitation, expansion and extension of pipelines to the other communities
but this has now been removed because Weija now has an increased production
capacity.
Barimah said funding
for extensions to communities beyond Kasoa would be provided under the 2003
Medium Term Expenditure Framework and it was expected that he project would be
completed in the same year.
Armah asked the
Minister what plans the Ministry has to desilt all rivers that feed reservoirs
and dams at major water supply stations. Barimah said it was neither feasible
nor practicable to desilt all rivers and dams, explaining that it was rather
dams and reservoirs that are dredged when their storage capacities have been
significantly reduced.
Isaac Nyame Ofori,
NDC-Sefwi Wiawso asked what the ministry was doing to discourage people from
farming along river banks and the Minister said a Water Resources Commission
has been set up to check and monitor all activities but it behoved on the
communities to lend their support.
Enoch Teye Mensah,
NDC- Ningo/Prampram asked what steps were been put in place to monitor
activities along the Weija Dam area and the Minister said a committee has been
set up to demolish structures along the banks of the dam since encroachment
activities has become very serious.
GRi…/
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