Rehabilitation works on Job 600 to re-commence soon

Accra, June 28, GNA - The rehabilitation work on the 12-storey State House tower block popularly known as "Job 600" would soon recommence, Majority Leader, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, told Parliament on Wednesday.

"We are working hard to secure a loan of about 25 million dollars to complete works on the Job 600, which would be used as offices for Members of Parliament (MPs) and other functions connected to the House." Mr Owusu-Adjapong made these remarks during the debate on a 5.8 million Euro loan agreement for the supply and installation of electronic and telecommunication systems in Parliament.

He said managers of the state's resources have come to realize that financing the rehabilitation works through annual budgetary allotments would not work hence the decision to go for a soft loan for the purpose. The Majority Leader said through the co-operation of the Executive and the Legislature, a number of projects and programmes that have the potential to enhance the performance of MPs have been realized. He counted a new multi-purpose building now under construction as "one of the many benefits of the Executive/Legislature co-operation". "A lot has been done and a lot is being done. This is not going to be the last," the Majority Leader said.

Mr. Moses Asaga, Minority Spokesman on Finance, said the installation of the gadgets would go a long way to enhance voting in the House, especially secret ballot, adding that it would also aid the display of names and constituencies of members in the House. The project covers the supply and installation of fibre optic backbone and data cabling, public address system, parliamentary recording system, closed circuit television (CCTV) system, intrusion detection system, metal detection, x-ray scanners, Internet connectivity and others.

According to a report of the Finance Committee on the loan, the project aims at facilitating orderly debates and speeches within the chamber of Parliament and other conference rooms. " It would afford the house modernised recording and transcription of debates and proceedings and efficient archiving and retrieval of recorded proceedings"

The loan is being contracted from the Kingdom of Belgium and Commerzbank of Belgium.

It has a zero interest rate and a repayment period of 15.5 years by 31 semi-annual installments.