Conduct study to unearth causes of shoddy road works - Parliament

In its report on the annual budget estimates of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the committee explained that even though no scientific analysis of the situation had been carried out by the committee, poor design of such roads, the use of inferior construction materials and inadequate supervision by engineers of the sector could not be ruled out as possible causes of such shoddy works.

The committee proposed to the ministry to implement a human resource  development strategy aimed at strengthening co-ordination and oversight of its projects.

It also expressed concern about the looming deficit in the staff strength of Ghana Highways Authority where 124 officers have reached their mandatory retirement age this year.

The committee said already the staff strength of the ministry and GHA fell below the required number.

It, therefore called on the Ministry of Finance to release the required fund for the GHA to recruit personnel to replace those who should go on retirement.

The sector minister, Alhaji Amin Sulemana, moved the motion for the approval of GHc706,721,937 for the activities of the ministry for  the 2013 financial year.

The House also approved the sum of GHc292,206,478 for the operations of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for 2013 while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to receive GHc110,229,049 for its operation within the year.

The GHc433,506,300 annual budget estimate of the Ghana Revenue Authority was also approved by the House.

During the debate, the Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, called on the Ministry of Finance to install CCTV cameras in the office of the revenue agencies in order to avoid corruption and improve on the collection of taxes and duties.

Story by Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah