Report on 41 million dollar housing loan adopted

The Majority in Parliament and a few members of the Minority struggled to push through a 41 million loan agreement as Mr Johnson Aseidu Nkestia, NDC-Wenchi West, took an opposing stand, citing procedural irregularities and drawing followers in the process.

The Supplier Credit agreement between Ghana and Hycoproject Bratislavia A.S. of Slovakia was withdrawn on December 11, when it was tabled for debate after Mr Aseidu Nketsia discovered procedural hitches on it.

Wednesday's motion had to be settled by a head count that translated into 80 in favour, Zero against and 47 abstentions. The Wenchi West member said the report of the Joint Committee on Finance and Works and Housing was full of conflicting issues, adding that the accompanying letter from Cabinet was defective.

He said the report did not explain enough what uses the loan would be put to. “Government is not clear in its mind what it is going to use the money for."

Mr Osei Prempeh, Chairman of the Joint Committee, said procedure had been followed and that the member had mixed up his thoughts.

He said the agreement was withdrawn because there was a bit of confusion around it but "now all members are satisfied that there is no confusion." The loan is to be used to create land banks for development of housing units throughout the country.