Western Region MPs Clash In Parliament

WHEN THE state of abominable roads in the country came up for discussion in Parliament recently, little did it occur to other Members of Parliament (MPs) that MPs in the Western region whose region is adversely plagued with worst roads in the country, would clash over the issue.

But for the timely intervention and maturity displayed by the second deputy Speaker, Hon Ken Dzirasah, who was then presiding over proceedings, the matter, which had been presonnalised by the Western region, MPs ,could have degenerated into something akin to a Portuguese Parliament of old.

The Speaker subsequently ruled that the matter be taken up by the leadership of the House, because the exchanges were degenerating into personalities, which could not be countenanced.

The ugly scenes all started when, in his contribution to a statement on “good roads for national development” read by Hon P.K. Amoabeng NPP MP from Lower West Akim, Hon S.P. Adamu, NDC MP from Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Berkwai, claimed that some contractors who worked on roads in the Western region had not been paid their arrears as yet.

He noted that a good many contractors in the region had been waiting for their certificates for the past 18 months, but had not received them.

What is more, he alleged that government was not releasing more money for construction work in the region to progress steadily.

As a result, those who have been awarded contracts cannot perform, because the little they had been paid was very paltry.

Claiming that this situation was badly affecting government stabilisation policy, Hon Adamu observed that most regional ministers, including the Western regional minister were aware of this situation and the effects it has on roads in the region.

At this juncture, Hon G.I. Amoo, NPP MP from Ayawaso West-Wuogon, challenged Hon Adamu to substantiate his allegations by producing unimpeachable evidence for all to digest.

Hon Adamu then brought to the fore that those contractors who executed the Stabex road and those who worked on the Axim road as well as those who undertook maintainance work of the Bekwai and Wiawso roads had all not been paid.

These hints prompted the Western regional minister, Hon J.B. Aidoo, to deny that contractors in the region had not been paid.

He alleged that arrears to contractors, including those he (Adamu, who happened to be the past deputy Western regional minister left behind) had been paid.

“The billions of cedis he left behind, I came and arranged for payment” Hon Aidoo declared.

He maintained that the contractor’s estimates for the Bawdie-Asankrangwa road was ?12.7 billion. However, at the time he assumed office, the previous government had paid ?36 billion, with ?2 billion still in arrears.

Hon Gladys Asmah, Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs, who is also MP for Takoradi, in disagreeing with Hon Adamu’s allegations, argued that maybe the NPP made a slip by paying the arrears of the NDC, hence Hon Adamu’s ingratitude by attacking the government, rather.

Hon Adamu admitted that though the NPP had cleared some arrears, they have, in the process, incurred more arrears which cannot be accommodated, and thus, hampering further construction works in the region.

He further alleged that road construction in the region had been awarded to contractors without equipment, for political expediency. Such contractors, he conceded, had to fall on those with machinery to enable them execute their jobs, upon payment of money.

Naming a number of contractors in this wise, Hon Adamu suggested that a committee be set up to work on this issue.

Hon Aidoo, supporting such a probe, also suggested that projects undertaken since 1992 under the NDC should also be investigated, since he has on record that a project which should have taken eight months to complete, took about eight years, and the price escalated from ?12.7bn to ?40 billion.

At this juncture, the MP for Evalue-Gwira, Hon Edith Hazel, challenged the Western regional minister to produce supporting documents or withdraw his statement.

The seconded deputy Speaker, then referred the matter to the leadership of the House for resolution.