News:
August 24, 2011
The NDC Members of Parliament from the Western Region have urged their colleagues on the minority side from the same region to vote for the approval of the $ 3 billion Chinese loan facility from the China Development Bank.
According to the MPs, the Western Region stands to benefit immensely from the loan as its approval will ensure the execution of several developmental projects in the Western Region.
Government of Ghana is seeking a 3 billion US dollar Master Facility agreement between the government of Ghana and the China Development Bank to finance infrastructure development projects under the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA).
The addressing the media in Accra, the Member of Parliament for Elebelle, Armah Kofi Buah stated that several projects including: the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Project, Western Corridor ‘Petroleum Terminal’ Project, Western Corridor ‘Oil Enclave’ Toll Road Project, Western Corridor Railway Line Modernization Project- Takoradi-Kumasi, Dunkwa-Awaso Railway Line, Retrofit Phase 1, are some of the numerous projects to be executed with the loan facility, which to a large extent will improve the living standards of the people of Western Region.
He urged the minority MPs not to disapprove the loan simply because of the political gains the NDC government stands to gain from executing the projects but rather think of the wider interest of the ordinary people of the Western region.
However in a sharp rebuttal, the Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Darko Mensah stated that the press conference by his other colleagues on the majority was done in bad faith because they (majority) failed to discuss the issue with those on the minority side.
“It would be absolutely wrong for anybody to think that Minority members from the Western Region do not approve of this loan, we support everything good that will come to our region provided it’s done in the right way’’ he said.
He added that the loan agreement has several begging questions that needs to be answered and it was important that the loan is not hurriedly approved.
By : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh