Parliament breaks the jinx of late start

Accra, May 28, GNA - Parliament broke the jinx of its late start of proceedings on Friday, when sitting started nearly on time with members expressing their happiness and hope that time would henceforth be respected in the House.

At about 1015 hours (just 15 minutes ahead of time) proceedings begun in the House, with less than twenty legislators present from both side. Ghana's Parliament for some time now is noted for its late start of proceedings. Usually sitting starts at 1100 hours and beyond.

Other members, who joined proceedings later, were surprised at the "early" start because the day being Friday, they thought the House will sit at the "usual" (1100 hours and beyond) time.

The press gallery was also almost empty when proceeding started with just about 15 per cent of the total number of parliamentary press corps present.

Some journalists told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) parliamentary correspondent that they did not normally come early because of the late start of sitting most of the time.

In his reaction, Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, Majority Leader in presenting the business of the week, stated that those days that parliament commenced late, were over.

The lateness, he said, normally occurred as a result of some problems leadership of the House mostly encountered and gave the assurance that such occurrences were over.

He said from now on proceedings would start at exactly 1000 hours and told members to comply.

Six questions were tabled to which Mr Joe Gidisu Minister for Roads and Highways responded.

On what his Ministry was doing to provide additional toll booths at the other ends of the Adomi and Sogakope bridges to avoid queuing, the Minister said a temporary toll booth had been provided at the Juapong end of the bridge to avoid vehicle coming from queuing at the main toll booth at the Atimpoku end.

He said the Ministry had decided to convert the temporary toll booth into a permanent one which would be captured in the 2011 budget. He noted that the Adomi Bridge especially was in a distress situation as a result of the excessive axle load. Mr Gidisu said in order to increase the life span of the bridge pending its rehabilitation there was the need to place a limit on the axle of the vehicles using the bridge.

He said the life span of Sogakope Bridge, which spanned the Lower Volta River, would be enhanced by constructing a toll booth at the Sokpoe start of the bridge, which was expected to be implemented under the 2011 budget. Most of the questions were on feeder roads, which were said to be in deplorable states.

Mr Gidisu gave the assurance that when funds were available, such roads would be rehabilitated but added that those needed maintenance would be attended to until their construction. Such roads include Asankragua Nyame Nnae feeder road, Dedieso-Juaboso road, Bibiani town roads, Awaso-Bekwai section of the Awaso -Nobekaw road, Fomena town roads and the status of 42 km road project around Lake Bosomtwe.