Pilfering of cables affects La-Teshie streetlights

Accra, July 25, GNA - Disruption of street lighting on the La-Teshie dual carriageway is on the increase because of pilfering of underground cables and other equipment connecting the lighting system, Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment said on Wednesday.

This was in response to a question by Nii Amasah Namoale, NDC-Dade Kotopon on the plans of the Ministry to rehabilitate and restore all the streetlights on the carriageway. While the Minister insisted that the lights were not functioning for theft of cables the MP maintained that officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) misled him and that cables and other equipment were intact.

The Minister has earlier told the House that the rehabilitation works on the dual carriageway streetlights form part of the streetlights works in Accra being undertaken by the Ghana at 50 Secretariat, but had been slowed down for financial difficulties.

He appealed for public co-operation to stem the pilfering of cables and other auxiliary equipment.

To a question from Mr. John Agyabeng, NPP-Agona East as to whether the streetlights levy paid to the ECG by electricity consumers are sent to the District Assemblies or the Ministry, Mr. Asamoah-Boateng answered that such payments were not sent to the District Assemblies or the Ministry.

"The streetlights levy is billed by ECG on the consumption of all customers at the rate of 50 pesewas (old cedis) per unit consumed and 80 per cent of the levy collected is used to supplement energy consumption of the streetlights whilst the remaining 20 per cent is used for maintenance."

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng announced that the Asesewa market in the Upper Manya Krobo Constituency in the Eastern Region had been captured in the Medium Term Development Plan of the District Assembly spanning 2006 - 2009 alongside other markets in the District.

He said the Asesewa Lorry Park, which is part of the market had been selected for a face-lift Under Towns V Programme for which work would commence in January 2008. The face-lift would include provision of sheds, pavements and the construction of an in-and-out passage ways. Mr. Masoud Abdul-Rahman, NDC-Pru wanted to know whether the Ministry has any plans to construct a modern market for Yeji to befit its status as a district capital, the Minister said it was the mandate of the Pru District Assembly to plan for the construction of a modern market for Yeji.