Parliament grants tax waivers on road and GBC projects

Parliament on Thursday unanimously granted 3 million German Deutsche Marks in tax waivers on imports for the construction of the Kpando-Worawora-Dambai road.

By this decision, the contractor will not be required to pay duties and taxes on specific equipment such as spare parts and materials to be used for the execution of the project.

The road, which is expected to be completed in 2001, is being pre-financed by Messrs Bilfinger and Berger, the contractor.

Later in the day, the House, by 138 to nil, voted for tax and duties exemptions totalling 29.5 million cedis for the modernisation and expansion project of Television (TV) and Frequency Modulation (FM) radio broadcast Network using satellite distribution.

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which is the sole beneficiary of the project, had its facilities last rehabilitated in 1984.

The project, worth 16.5 million Euros when completed, will give clear television and radio transmission and ensure effective and efficient spectrum planning for radio and TV operations.

Various loans totalling 74.5 million Euros and 19.2 million dollars for the financing of a number of projects, including the Korle Lagoon ecological restoration, and the Koforidua water supply, were also approved by the House.

Others are the Rural Water and Sanitation project in the Northern Region, rehabilitation of the Sogakope-Aflao road and the modernisation and expansion of Television and Radio facilities at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. All the 136 members present voted in favour.