MP calls for transparency in privatization of state companies

Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - Mr Haruna Iddrisu, (NDC-Tamale-South) on Thursday called for transparency in the privatization of Ghana Telecom and Westel.

He also urged government to give Ghanaians the opportunity to invest in the two organizations instead of foreign investors taking over completely.

The member was contributing to the debate on a motion to approve a sum of 18,518,487.00 Ghana cedis for the services of the Ministry of Communications for the 2008 fiscal year. Mr Iddrisu called for an improvement in the services of mobile phone companies and said there was the need for the strengthening of the regulatory functions of the National Communication Authority for better service delivery.

He called for urgent action to check fraud in the communication sector by the introduction of various bills including computer and computer related crimes bill. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Works and Housing has urged that the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing works out modalities on how to assist communities which cannot afford to pay the five per cent required as part of the project cost for the provision of rural water.

The Committee has also recommended that the ministry re-consider its reduction of the administrative budget of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency since it has the effect of affecting donor support to the rural water development sector.

These recommendations were contained in the committee's report presented to Parliament after a motion had been moved to approve a sum of 161,384,653.00 Ghana cedis for the services of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for the 2008 fiscal year. The Committee urged that a legislative instrument be introduced for the regulation of buffer zones around dam sites and catchments areas to address encroachment problems affecting these areas, since it has serious repercussions on water delivery.

"The Committee further recommends to the Water Resources Commission to ensure the publicity and full implementation of the regulations on drilling and under water development," the report added.