The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Doe Adjaho, has given a one-week ultimatum to the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, to provide a detailed accounts on how the €42million Netherlands facility meant for the construction of storm drains in Accra were utilized.
The Speaker’s directive came in the wake of denial of knowledge of the Netherland funding facility by Yaw Adusei, deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, on the floor of Parliament Tuesday.
Mr. Adusei had appeared on the floor of the House on behalf of the substantive minister, Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Mensah, to respond to an urgent question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayaa/Sowutuom, Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
The legislator had sought to enquire from the minister when the Lafa River storm drain will be constructed.
Mr. Adusei in his response said his outfit was carrying out survey works and design of the Lafa drain, including cost estimates to enable it source for funding from the Ministry of Finance for its construction.
“The Ministry will implement the project when funding is provided by the Ministry of Finance,” he added.
No time lines were immediately provided.
However, his answer did not go down well with the former deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
She further enquired from the deputy minister what has happened to the €42million Netherlands facility the House approved some time ago for the construction of the Accra drains including storm drains for Onyinase and Lafa rivers.
She told the House that her question was premised on the fact that seven people in her constituency lost their lives in the June 3 disaster that rocked the capital city because of the unconstructed storm drains for the above mentioned rivers.
Mr. Adusei in a swift response denied knowledge of the availability of funding for the project and sought the indulgence of the Speaker to give him some time to crosscheck from the ministry and get back to the House with a response on the subject matter.
The Speaker, having listened to the deputy minister, granted his wish but gave a one-week ultimatum for him to address the House on the issue.
The Lafa River runs over a stretch of about 13 kilometers and through areas like Nii Boye Town, Santa Maria, Kwashieman, Awoshie, Ablekuma, A Lang and Mallam.
By: Kasapafmonline.com/Ghana
