Ghana needs 1.8 billion
dollars for water provision in 25 years
Accra (Greater Accra)
23 October 2002- Members of Parliament on Tuesday blamed the incidence of
indiscipline or the irresponsible behaviour of people, who wield power in
society, especially, politicians and religious leaders.
They said until the
elders examined their lives and play the proper "role-model" role,
many people would emulate their bad deeds. Members were contributing to a
statement on, "the need for a moral crusade to curb the rising rate of
indiscipline in our society", delivered by Kofi Poku-Adusei, NPP-Bekwai.
Mr. Victor Gbeho,
Ind-Anlo, said politicians must know that they are in politics to render
selfless service to the ordinary people and not to make money and display
arrogance. "Modern religious leaders are driven by the latest marketing
techniques rather than serious convictions. Most are drawn to materialism and
do not preach moral lessons."
He said churches are
now the theatres of serious crimes and immorality. On films, he called for
censorship and a code of ethics to guide its production and sale. It is not
alright to watch indecent films, because they are destroying Society, he said.
Mr K.A. Okerchiri,
NPP-Nkawkaw, said local songs are full of obscene lyrics, which create moral
insecurity in the home. "Sadly, any attempt to check this phenomenon is
seen as gagging, taking away someone's freedom to speech and expression."
He said: "I was
listening to this song that I hardly knew the other day and was enjoying it. My
daughter asked me if I knew the lyrics since it was a bad song. I then paid
attention. They call it apuskeleke. It is bad."
He criticised mature
and well-sold musicians, who are singing songs depicting bad morals and in the
process exploiting their popularity and trust of the public. The member said
beauty pageants are avenues for glorifying nudity adding, "we are exalting
nudity"
Mr. Joe Gidisu,
NDC-North Tongu, said if governments fail to deliver on their promises, it is
indiscipline. "If we MPs do not come to the house on time it is
indiscipline, so we have to be here on time, we have to be disciplined."
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Accra (Greater Accra)
23 October 2002- The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Yaw Barimah on Tuesday
said the ministry was concerned with the building capacities of local
contractors to enable them to partner foreign contractors in the execution of
projects.
Among the measures
taken to realize this goal are organising of training for contractors and also
supporting them in equipment to build their capacities. Mr Yaw Barimah said
this when answering two questions asked by Mr Paul Collins Appiah-Ofori,
NPP-Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa as to whether the one billion pounds, about 10,5
billion cedis facility granted by the government under the European Union
general purpose credit line to Pentrexx Ghana limited has been repaid in full
and what steps was being taken to recover the money in full.
The other related
question was whether the overpayment of about 1.5 billion cedis in connection
with the Keta Sea Defence Project has been refunded as ordered by the NDC
government and if not, whether the minister would institute legal action to
recover the money with interest.
Mr Barimah said
Pentrexx was among four other contractors, who in 1966 were supported with the
EU facility and by the terms of the loan arrangement, Pentrexx was to repay the
facility over a period of five years and since the acquisition of a one billion
cedis equipment, the company have paid 133,745.92 pounds, leaving an
outstanding balance of 951,054.08 pounds.
The other companies
were Messrs Marine Construction Limited, 2,301,985.65 pounds, Messrs J. Stanley
Owusu Limited, 3,510,996.31 pounds, Messrs Yiadom Builders Limited,
1,200,000.00 pounds and Messrs Bascon Works Limited, one billion pounds.
He said in 2001, a
Committee was set up to ascertain the level of indebtedness of Pentrexx (GH)
Limited and the other beneficiaries and to make recommendations on the status
of the machinery of each of the beneficiary companies.
Mr Barimah said even
though the time schedule for the repayment has lapsed, the ministry notes that
the equipment imported for the companies were of such specialised nature that
they could do work, which was generally intended for Government to execute.
The Minister said
unfortunately due to the state of the economy, it was not possible for any of
such jobs to be contracted for the companies to execute.
Mr Barimah informed
the House that with the improvement in the general performance of the economy,
the Ministry plans to facilitate access for the companies to obtain reasonable
works to execute, so as to recoup monies due to Government.
He said three of the
companies, Messrs Bascon, Yiadom Builders Limited and Pentrexx Limited offered
immense assistance in the deepening, widening and retaining of water courses
being undertaken by the Ministry to abate flooding, which are yet to be paid
for by the Ministry.
Mr Barimah said with
regard to the overpayment of about 1.5 billion cedis made to Pentrexx Ghana
Limited, the issue has been referred to the Attorney General's Department for
the necessary action to recover the money and the case was pending before the
court.
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Accra (Greater Accra)
23 October 2002- Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of Works and Housing, on Tuesday
said 1.8 billion dollars would be needed for rehabilitation, renewal and
expansion of the country's water systems over 25 years.
"But for the next
ten years, we would need 900 million dollars for the same activities." Mr
Barimah, who was answering Parliamentary questions said government alone could
not, for the moment provide all this money, "hence the need to invite the
private sector operators."
Mr Dwamena
Bekoe,NDC-Asuogyaman, had asked about plans to develop more water treatment
plants or stations in the country to meet the growing needs of Ghanaians. The
minister said key actions that have been taken to restructure the water
structure include the separation of rural water supply from urban supply, with
rural water provision transferred to the district assemblies for community
ownership and management.
They also include the
establishment of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and a Water
Resources Commission (WRC). Private Sector Participation (PSP) in the large
urban water supply system has been devised as a means of seeking financial,
technical and managerial expertise from the private sector to improve
efficiency and increase access to water supply.
Mr. Barimah said Ghana
Water Company has a Strategic Investment Programme (SIP), which when fully
implemented, would serve the growing needs of Ghanaians.
He said the programme
covers the rehabilitation and capacity expansion of old systems and the
provision of new water systems. "In all, 103 major pipe-borne water system
for urban areas and 111 minor systems for small towns and rural areas are to
made to meet water demands in 2005 and 2020."
He said to expedite
the implementation of SIP, a donors conference on water was organised in
October in 2000 where pledges were made. When asked by the questioner that,
"if the donors do not deliver on their promise what happens?", he
said: "I believe the donors will deliver."
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