Page 21, July 31/2008
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE newly installed chief and kingmakers of Osu have announced August 26, 2008 as the date for the celebration of their traditional festival, Homowo.
Consequently, they have asked the Ghana Police Service not to do anything to hinder the celebration and sprinkling of the festival food, ‘Kpokpoi’, in the interest of peace.
The Chief, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, announced this in a speech read on his behalf at a news conference at Osu in Accra yesterday.
The news conference, which was held in the form of a durbar for the people of Osu, attracted scores of people from the area who danced and sang upon the arrival of the chief and his retinue.
“According to the customs and usage of Osu, whoever performs the ritual of sowing corn (placing ban on drumming) and harvest (lifting the ban) has to be the one to sprinkle the scared food (Kpokpoi) during Homowo festival,” he said.
Nii Dowuona made it clear that for a long time the people had been without a chief and that had set the progress and development of Osu backward.
He, however, gave the assurance that with his installation as the legitimate chief of the area, the fortunes of Osu would be turned around.
Osu is one of the most important areas in the country because it houses the seat of government, the Osu Castle, the ministries and many other institutions and facilities.
During question time by the media, the platform was hijacked by the citizens who in turn, expressed their displeasure at what they described as the ‘unwarranted‘ takeover of lands belonging to the people without compensation.
They said in spite of their strategic position in the country, the people of Osu had not benefited in anyway and the youth remained jobless.
The people requested the chief to take action to restore the fortunes of Osu to the benefit of the people.
The people further called for a probe into the sale of Osu lands and demanded answers as to what the proceeds had been used for.
Nii Mankralo of Osu was grateful that the people of Osu finally had a chief who would champion their cause and make life worthwhile for the people.
He said there were many court cases pending with regards to land sale, as well as issues of chieftaincy, and, therefore, cautioned the people not to allow themselves to be misled into making statements that would be contemptuous of the court.
Nii Mankralo said the new regime believed in unity and would work diligently to ensure that Osu regained its past glory.
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE newly installed chief and kingmakers of Osu have announced August 26, 2008 as the date for the celebration of their traditional festival, Homowo.
Consequently, they have asked the Ghana Police Service not to do anything to hinder the celebration and sprinkling of the festival food, ‘Kpokpoi’, in the interest of peace.
The Chief, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, announced this in a speech read on his behalf at a news conference at Osu in Accra yesterday.
The news conference, which was held in the form of a durbar for the people of Osu, attracted scores of people from the area who danced and sang upon the arrival of the chief and his retinue.
“According to the customs and usage of Osu, whoever performs the ritual of sowing corn (placing ban on drumming) and harvest (lifting the ban) has to be the one to sprinkle the scared food (Kpokpoi) during Homowo festival,” he said.
Nii Dowuona made it clear that for a long time the people had been without a chief and that had set the progress and development of Osu backward.
He, however, gave the assurance that with his installation as the legitimate chief of the area, the fortunes of Osu would be turned around.
Osu is one of the most important areas in the country because it houses the seat of government, the Osu Castle, the ministries and many other institutions and facilities.
During question time by the media, the platform was hijacked by the citizens who in turn, expressed their displeasure at what they described as the ‘unwarranted‘ takeover of lands belonging to the people without compensation.
They said in spite of their strategic position in the country, the people of Osu had not benefited in anyway and the youth remained jobless.
The people requested the chief to take action to restore the fortunes of Osu to the benefit of the people.
The people further called for a probe into the sale of Osu lands and demanded answers as to what the proceeds had been used for.
Nii Mankralo of Osu was grateful that the people of Osu finally had a chief who would champion their cause and make life worthwhile for the people.
He said there were many court cases pending with regards to land sale, as well as issues of chieftaincy, and, therefore, cautioned the people not to allow themselves to be misled into making statements that would be contemptuous of the court.
Nii Mankralo said the new regime believed in unity and would work diligently to ensure that Osu regained its past glory.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Bus rapid transit— Solution to a worsening traffic situation in ghana
Page 21, July 31/ 2008
Article: Charles Benoni Okine
The Bus Rapid Transit popularly called (BRT) is a bus-based mass transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, cost-effective urban mobility. But this is not present in Ghana.
A drive around the major cities of the country particularly in Accra and Kumasi has become more of a nightmare than anything one can think of. Almost anywhere one turns to, vehicular traffic is inevitable.
Gone are those days when one could easily differentiate between rush hours and non-peak hours of the day. It has equally become difficult to tell weekdays from weekends because the heavy vehicular traffic is almost the same particularly on Saturdays. In other words, traffic on the roads has become 24/7.
In the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area for instance, it has been estimated that the population of about four million people would double in the next 15-20 years and this is expected to come with a continuing trend of reducing population density, expanding built-up areas, improvement in per capita income and an estimated five fold increase in car ownership.
In the country presently, it is estimated that there are only 850,000 registered vehicles with a little below half the number in Accra alone. Accra has a lot of well laid out roads but they are always congested.
According to the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), more than 70 per cent of major roads in Accra are congested and likely to get worse if current trends are maintained. It admits that some of the arterial road network are missing or in very poor condition, hence increasing the overall travel time.
The DUR quotes surveys that indicate that 70 per cent of motorised person trips in Accra depend on some form of bus transport (trotro and large buses) but utilises just over 30 per cent of the road space. Cars and taxis on the other hand carry less than 30 per cent of the person trips but utilise less than 60 per cent of the road space.
Trotro (minibuses) make up over 50 per cent trips in Accra but the vehicles are of low capacity, usually, 12-33 seater, and are very old and badly maintained, an indication of lack of motivation for investment by the operators.
GOVERNMENT’S POLICY:
In realising the enormity of the problem, its anticipated effects for the future generation, coupled with the need to bring the situation under control, the government, nine months ago, launched what it christened the "Urban Transport Project" to help reduce congestion and the related environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
It named the DUR as the implementing agency with the mandate to consider the following components; Institutional Development; Traffic Engineering, Management and Safety; Development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System; Integration of urban development planning and transport planning and Monitoring and Evaluation.
The strategy is to introduce these reforms in a systematic and gradual manner in close collaboration with the Ghana Road Transport Council (GRTCC).
THE BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM
One key component of the UTP is the implementation of the BRT which has been tried and tested in many parts of the world with very unimaginable results. Bogota in Columbia, Curitiba in Brazil and very near to Ghana, Lagos in Nigeria, are classic examples. Although Lagos is presently not implementing the full BRT, it has the BRT ‘Lite’ which is worth emulating.
As part of measures to implement the system in Ghana, the implementing agency needed to visit those countries that have managed to successfully implement the BRT, a move that took the team to Bogota and Curitiba.
A few weeks ago, a 30-member team made up of experts from the transport sector, media and financial institutions, among others, paid a three-day working visit to Lagos to familiarise themselves with the implementation of the BRT Lite by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The main objective of the study tour was to afford the delegation the opportunity to understand the LAMATA set-up and how it operates, its institutional and regulatory framework and the BRT Lite, among others.
THE LAGOS EXPERIENCE
Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. It has a population of 17.6 million, about five times larger than that of Accra, and is said to be the most densely populated state in that country.
As a result of its popularity and because of its perceived destination as the economic state of Nigeria, the state is heavily populated with vehicles of all kinds. Many people who have been to Lagos some years back can attest to the horrific traffic situation.
The ‘Yellow’ buses, their commercial private vehicles, taxis and their ‘Okada’ (motorbike taxis) were scattered everywhere and that made movement almost impossible.
But the situation has greatly changed with the introduction of the BRT Lite concept which is managed by competent and well-qualified personnel from LAMATA.
When the Ghanaian delegation visited the Ikorodu Road from Mile 12 Terminus to CMS terminus, cutting across Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, Maryland, Odiroko, Anthony, Obanikoro, Palmgrove, Onipanu, Fadeyi, Moshalashi, Barracks, Stadium, and Leventis among others, it was a delight to watch the drastically improved traffic situation.
The BRT Lite had reduced commuter time by about 56 per cent so that it took a shorter time to travel to destinations within the state.
LAMATA has its own security to police the routes on constant basis to avoid recalcitrant people from using them. There is no hawking on the pavements along the routes neither were any persons allowed to mount shops or stalls near the routes.
THE BRT GHANA.
Back in Ghana, there exists a concept design of the Accra Central-Mallam pilot BRT route, which is expected to reduce travel time for bus passenger along the route to an estimated time of 25 minutes compared to the one hour or more even at the best time of the day.
It is expected to attract over 10,000 passengers during the peak hours and is also expected to increase the productivity of buses and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
It is expected that larger buses will operate a scheduled service along exclusive BRT lanes in the median (middle) of the road. The services, according to the DUR, will be provided by an operator under a Route Service Contract with the assembly. The existing trotros will be assisted to reform their operations within a reformed regulatory environment, to provide feeder bus services along the proposed 11 feeder lines of the system.
The physical infrastructure and operational systems of the project will include: A trunk route (Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to Mallam); Accra Central Area Circulation Loop; Main Feeder Routes (11 lanes); Main Trunk Route Stations; Terminal, Passenger Interchange and Bus Depot; Bridges; Fare Collection System; Control System; Service Pattern.
CHALLENGES TO THE SYSTEM
The ideas drawn up for the implementation of the BRT project in Ghana looks sound and solid. One of the major challenges that will confront the implementation of the project in Ghana is most likely to be the political will. Several millions of dollars is required for the implementation of the project and although the government and the World Bank and other development partners have pumped some $95 million to kick-start the UTP under which the BRT operation is fully backed by regulations signed into law in Lagos and this may be a challenge to Ghana. A law to back the system is critical to ensure that only BRT buses use the lanes. It is also to ensure that those who flout the law are punished accordingly. Many of the road networks in the country have developed potholes because of the attitude of some of these senseless practices and the inability of the authorities to act promptly. And for such a laudable project, this negative behaviour should not be tolerated if its success is to be ensured.
There is also the challenge of the incorporation of the various transport unions into the entire project. In an exclusive interview with the Deputy National Chairman of the GPRTU, Alhaji E.A. Tetteh, he remarked that they would fully support the project only if there would be absolute transparency in the implementation of the project. It is expected that just as the GPRTU was part of the delegation to study the LAMATA experience, they will also be involved in future deliberations.
CONCLUSION
This project is the major solution to the traffic situation in the country today.
What is needed is commitment from the government side first. Here, funding must be forthcoming to make the dream a reality because of the numerous advantages the BRT system brings.
The commitment and sacrifices of the general public is also crucial to ensure the peaceful and speedy implementation of the project. There will definitely be challenges but with patience, the project will be done and it will be to our benefit.
The plans as drawn are expected to be modified to incorporate the experiences of Lagos, Curitiba and Bogota and it is expected to look more refined than earlier outlined.
Article: Charles Benoni Okine
The Bus Rapid Transit popularly called (BRT) is a bus-based mass transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, cost-effective urban mobility. But this is not present in Ghana.
A drive around the major cities of the country particularly in Accra and Kumasi has become more of a nightmare than anything one can think of. Almost anywhere one turns to, vehicular traffic is inevitable.
Gone are those days when one could easily differentiate between rush hours and non-peak hours of the day. It has equally become difficult to tell weekdays from weekends because the heavy vehicular traffic is almost the same particularly on Saturdays. In other words, traffic on the roads has become 24/7.
In the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area for instance, it has been estimated that the population of about four million people would double in the next 15-20 years and this is expected to come with a continuing trend of reducing population density, expanding built-up areas, improvement in per capita income and an estimated five fold increase in car ownership.
In the country presently, it is estimated that there are only 850,000 registered vehicles with a little below half the number in Accra alone. Accra has a lot of well laid out roads but they are always congested.
According to the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), more than 70 per cent of major roads in Accra are congested and likely to get worse if current trends are maintained. It admits that some of the arterial road network are missing or in very poor condition, hence increasing the overall travel time.
The DUR quotes surveys that indicate that 70 per cent of motorised person trips in Accra depend on some form of bus transport (trotro and large buses) but utilises just over 30 per cent of the road space. Cars and taxis on the other hand carry less than 30 per cent of the person trips but utilise less than 60 per cent of the road space.
Trotro (minibuses) make up over 50 per cent trips in Accra but the vehicles are of low capacity, usually, 12-33 seater, and are very old and badly maintained, an indication of lack of motivation for investment by the operators.
GOVERNMENT’S POLICY:
In realising the enormity of the problem, its anticipated effects for the future generation, coupled with the need to bring the situation under control, the government, nine months ago, launched what it christened the "Urban Transport Project" to help reduce congestion and the related environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
It named the DUR as the implementing agency with the mandate to consider the following components; Institutional Development; Traffic Engineering, Management and Safety; Development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System; Integration of urban development planning and transport planning and Monitoring and Evaluation.
The strategy is to introduce these reforms in a systematic and gradual manner in close collaboration with the Ghana Road Transport Council (GRTCC).
THE BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM
One key component of the UTP is the implementation of the BRT which has been tried and tested in many parts of the world with very unimaginable results. Bogota in Columbia, Curitiba in Brazil and very near to Ghana, Lagos in Nigeria, are classic examples. Although Lagos is presently not implementing the full BRT, it has the BRT ‘Lite’ which is worth emulating.
As part of measures to implement the system in Ghana, the implementing agency needed to visit those countries that have managed to successfully implement the BRT, a move that took the team to Bogota and Curitiba.
A few weeks ago, a 30-member team made up of experts from the transport sector, media and financial institutions, among others, paid a three-day working visit to Lagos to familiarise themselves with the implementation of the BRT Lite by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The main objective of the study tour was to afford the delegation the opportunity to understand the LAMATA set-up and how it operates, its institutional and regulatory framework and the BRT Lite, among others.
THE LAGOS EXPERIENCE
Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. It has a population of 17.6 million, about five times larger than that of Accra, and is said to be the most densely populated state in that country.
As a result of its popularity and because of its perceived destination as the economic state of Nigeria, the state is heavily populated with vehicles of all kinds. Many people who have been to Lagos some years back can attest to the horrific traffic situation.
The ‘Yellow’ buses, their commercial private vehicles, taxis and their ‘Okada’ (motorbike taxis) were scattered everywhere and that made movement almost impossible.
But the situation has greatly changed with the introduction of the BRT Lite concept which is managed by competent and well-qualified personnel from LAMATA.
When the Ghanaian delegation visited the Ikorodu Road from Mile 12 Terminus to CMS terminus, cutting across Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, Maryland, Odiroko, Anthony, Obanikoro, Palmgrove, Onipanu, Fadeyi, Moshalashi, Barracks, Stadium, and Leventis among others, it was a delight to watch the drastically improved traffic situation.
The BRT Lite had reduced commuter time by about 56 per cent so that it took a shorter time to travel to destinations within the state.
LAMATA has its own security to police the routes on constant basis to avoid recalcitrant people from using them. There is no hawking on the pavements along the routes neither were any persons allowed to mount shops or stalls near the routes.
THE BRT GHANA.
Back in Ghana, there exists a concept design of the Accra Central-Mallam pilot BRT route, which is expected to reduce travel time for bus passenger along the route to an estimated time of 25 minutes compared to the one hour or more even at the best time of the day.
It is expected to attract over 10,000 passengers during the peak hours and is also expected to increase the productivity of buses and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
It is expected that larger buses will operate a scheduled service along exclusive BRT lanes in the median (middle) of the road. The services, according to the DUR, will be provided by an operator under a Route Service Contract with the assembly. The existing trotros will be assisted to reform their operations within a reformed regulatory environment, to provide feeder bus services along the proposed 11 feeder lines of the system.
The physical infrastructure and operational systems of the project will include: A trunk route (Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to Mallam); Accra Central Area Circulation Loop; Main Feeder Routes (11 lanes); Main Trunk Route Stations; Terminal, Passenger Interchange and Bus Depot; Bridges; Fare Collection System; Control System; Service Pattern.
CHALLENGES TO THE SYSTEM
The ideas drawn up for the implementation of the BRT project in Ghana looks sound and solid. One of the major challenges that will confront the implementation of the project in Ghana is most likely to be the political will. Several millions of dollars is required for the implementation of the project and although the government and the World Bank and other development partners have pumped some $95 million to kick-start the UTP under which the BRT operation is fully backed by regulations signed into law in Lagos and this may be a challenge to Ghana. A law to back the system is critical to ensure that only BRT buses use the lanes. It is also to ensure that those who flout the law are punished accordingly. Many of the road networks in the country have developed potholes because of the attitude of some of these senseless practices and the inability of the authorities to act promptly. And for such a laudable project, this negative behaviour should not be tolerated if its success is to be ensured.
There is also the challenge of the incorporation of the various transport unions into the entire project. In an exclusive interview with the Deputy National Chairman of the GPRTU, Alhaji E.A. Tetteh, he remarked that they would fully support the project only if there would be absolute transparency in the implementation of the project. It is expected that just as the GPRTU was part of the delegation to study the LAMATA experience, they will also be involved in future deliberations.
CONCLUSION
This project is the major solution to the traffic situation in the country today.
What is needed is commitment from the government side first. Here, funding must be forthcoming to make the dream a reality because of the numerous advantages the BRT system brings.
The commitment and sacrifices of the general public is also crucial to ensure the peaceful and speedy implementation of the project. There will definitely be challenges but with patience, the project will be done and it will be to our benefit.
The plans as drawn are expected to be modified to incorporate the experiences of Lagos, Curitiba and Bogota and it is expected to look more refined than earlier outlined.
Sudanese Envoy calls on Vice-President
Spread, July 31/2008
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE government has said it will not go against the position of the African Union (AU) which does not support the International Criminal Court (ICC) demands for the extradition of the Sudanese leader, President Oumar Al Bashir to the Hague for alleged war crimes.
He said Ghana belonged to the union and will not be in the position to unilaterally take a stand against the collective decision of the AU.
Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, said this in a brief remark when he received a special message from the Sudanese leader on behalf of President Kufuor in Accra today.
The message was delivered by Mr Bona Malwal, Special Adviser to President Al Bashir, as part of efforts to solicit the support of African leaders against the decision of the ICC to prosecute the Sudanese leader for alleged war crimes against the people of Darfur.
Before the meeting plunged into a closed door session, the Vice President called on the international community to extend more logistical support to the AU Peacekeeping Force in Sudan to enable it protect itself and the people of Darfur against the rebels.
Since the announcement of the intentions of the ICC to cause the extradition of President Al Bashir to the Hague to face war crimes, rebels have attacked the AU peaceforce killing some innocent peacekeepers including a Ghanaian soldier.
Mr Malwal his part said the Sudanese people were very concerned about the intentions of the ICC.
“We are seeking African solidarity against the ICC” he said and noted that the decision was not the best for the people.
Mr Malwal described the ICC decision as an assault to entire continent of Africa and was, therefore not acceptable.
He said the AU Security Council has already expressed its concerns and all efforts would be made to ensure that the decision was reversed.
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE government has said it will not go against the position of the African Union (AU) which does not support the International Criminal Court (ICC) demands for the extradition of the Sudanese leader, President Oumar Al Bashir to the Hague for alleged war crimes.
He said Ghana belonged to the union and will not be in the position to unilaterally take a stand against the collective decision of the AU.
Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, said this in a brief remark when he received a special message from the Sudanese leader on behalf of President Kufuor in Accra today.
The message was delivered by Mr Bona Malwal, Special Adviser to President Al Bashir, as part of efforts to solicit the support of African leaders against the decision of the ICC to prosecute the Sudanese leader for alleged war crimes against the people of Darfur.
Before the meeting plunged into a closed door session, the Vice President called on the international community to extend more logistical support to the AU Peacekeeping Force in Sudan to enable it protect itself and the people of Darfur against the rebels.
Since the announcement of the intentions of the ICC to cause the extradition of President Al Bashir to the Hague to face war crimes, rebels have attacked the AU peaceforce killing some innocent peacekeepers including a Ghanaian soldier.
Mr Malwal his part said the Sudanese people were very concerned about the intentions of the ICC.
“We are seeking African solidarity against the ICC” he said and noted that the decision was not the best for the people.
Mr Malwal described the ICC decision as an assault to entire continent of Africa and was, therefore not acceptable.
He said the AU Security Council has already expressed its concerns and all efforts would be made to ensure that the decision was reversed.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Govt reduces budget of all ministries
Spread lead July 29, 2008
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE government has reduced by almost half the annual budget of all the ministries to enable it to save money to finance the purchase of crude oil for the Volta River Authority (VRA).
The move is also intended, among others, to spare the government the temptation of borrowing more internally, a situation which could starve the private sector of funds from the banks.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the decision to do so had become imperative as part of measures to check the expenditure of the various ministries.
The action of the government comes in the wake of numerous measures being taken by governments across the continent to make some savings to be able to finance the purchase of crude oil.
In neighbouring Cote d’ Ivoire and in South Africa, for instance, the salaries of ministers of state and other public officials have been slashed to enable the government to save some money to finance the purchase of crude oil.
The soaring of crude oil prices on the international market has thrown overboard the budgets of many countries, including Ghana.
Over a billion dollars is being spent on the importation of crude oil for the country and that is said to be eating deep into the foreign reserves of the country, which used to stand at about four months of import cover.
Asked whether the ministries will be affected by the action of the government, the minister replied in the negative but said, “This means that they need to seriously prioritise their expenditures to be able to make do with what they will be given”.
Mr Baah-Wiredu stated, however, that the cut would not affect the personal emoluments of the workers of the various ministries.
He said most of the ministries periodically spent money on the acquisition of brand new vehicles and computers, among others, which could be postponed.
“Some spend huge sums of money on new cars every year, changing carpets and furniture and replacing computers on a large scale and upon assessment, it has been noticed that these are not necessary, hence the action,” he said.
The government has come under heavy criticisms lately for what has been described as frivolous expenditures, particularly within the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Explaining the impact on borrowing internally by the government, he said the private sector would be starved of funds to grow their businesses and that would have a dire consequence on the growth of the economy.
He said borrowing locally could also force the treasury bill rate higher, making it more attractive for people and those in business to put their money there rather than invest in ventures that could create jobs and bring other economic benefits.
As of the beginning of the year, for instance, the treasury bill rate hovered around 11 per cent but this had increased to 17.5 per cent as of yesterday.
Mr Baah-Wiredu condemned the over-pricing of some goods on the market by some traders in the systems, saying, “they also formed part of the cause of the rising inflation in the country”.
He made reference to imported alcoholic beverages on the market and said when the importers paid very little on the products, they charged more than five times the cost to the consumers.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said this practice was widespread and tasked the revenue collection agencies to check it and ensure that what was due the state came in appropriately.
He said there were leakages in the system, which needed to be blocked, and again asked the revenue collection agencies to redouble their efforts in that direction.
Story: Charles Benoni Okine
THE government has reduced by almost half the annual budget of all the ministries to enable it to save money to finance the purchase of crude oil for the Volta River Authority (VRA).
The move is also intended, among others, to spare the government the temptation of borrowing more internally, a situation which could starve the private sector of funds from the banks.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the decision to do so had become imperative as part of measures to check the expenditure of the various ministries.
The action of the government comes in the wake of numerous measures being taken by governments across the continent to make some savings to be able to finance the purchase of crude oil.
In neighbouring Cote d’ Ivoire and in South Africa, for instance, the salaries of ministers of state and other public officials have been slashed to enable the government to save some money to finance the purchase of crude oil.
The soaring of crude oil prices on the international market has thrown overboard the budgets of many countries, including Ghana.
Over a billion dollars is being spent on the importation of crude oil for the country and that is said to be eating deep into the foreign reserves of the country, which used to stand at about four months of import cover.
Asked whether the ministries will be affected by the action of the government, the minister replied in the negative but said, “This means that they need to seriously prioritise their expenditures to be able to make do with what they will be given”.
Mr Baah-Wiredu stated, however, that the cut would not affect the personal emoluments of the workers of the various ministries.
He said most of the ministries periodically spent money on the acquisition of brand new vehicles and computers, among others, which could be postponed.
“Some spend huge sums of money on new cars every year, changing carpets and furniture and replacing computers on a large scale and upon assessment, it has been noticed that these are not necessary, hence the action,” he said.
The government has come under heavy criticisms lately for what has been described as frivolous expenditures, particularly within the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Explaining the impact on borrowing internally by the government, he said the private sector would be starved of funds to grow their businesses and that would have a dire consequence on the growth of the economy.
He said borrowing locally could also force the treasury bill rate higher, making it more attractive for people and those in business to put their money there rather than invest in ventures that could create jobs and bring other economic benefits.
As of the beginning of the year, for instance, the treasury bill rate hovered around 11 per cent but this had increased to 17.5 per cent as of yesterday.
Mr Baah-Wiredu condemned the over-pricing of some goods on the market by some traders in the systems, saying, “they also formed part of the cause of the rising inflation in the country”.
He made reference to imported alcoholic beverages on the market and said when the importers paid very little on the products, they charged more than five times the cost to the consumers.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said this practice was widespread and tasked the revenue collection agencies to check it and ensure that what was due the state came in appropriately.
He said there were leakages in the system, which needed to be blocked, and again asked the revenue collection agencies to redouble their efforts in that direction.
Friday, July 18, 2008
$95m Urban Transport Project for next year
Back page (lead) July 14/2008
Story: Charles Benoni Okine, Lagos
MAJOR road infrastructure works in key cities to pave the way for the smooth transformation of the transportation system in the country will begin in June next year.
The $95 million project, which forms part of the country’s Urban Transport Project, will see the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to ease the serious traffic situation in the major cities of the country, including Accra and Kumasi.
The BRT system will also improve commuter time on the roads, reduce transport fares, reduce fuel consumption and importation, particularly in the face of soaring crude oil prices on the international market, as well as improve air quality, which is gradually worsening as a result of heavy emissions from vehicles.
One of the proposed routes in Accra which will be part of the pilot scheme is the Accra Central/Graphic Road/Kaneshie/Odorkor/Mallam corridor, as well as the Accra Central/Liberation Road/37 Hospital/Tetteh Quarshie/Madina/Adenta corridor. Up to 3,000 passengers will be carried on the corridors per hour.
The Deputy Director in charge of Planning and Development at the Department of Urban Roads, Dr Daniel D. Darko, told the Daily Graphic in Lagos that the designs for the project were almost completed and actual physical construction works would begin with Accra in June next year.
That was after Dr Darko, who led a 30-member delegation from Ghana, had familiarised himself with the BRT system as implemented by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
With what LAMATA referred to as the BRT ‘Lite’, the system has drastically transformed Lagos, the most densely populated state in Nigeria, as far as commuter transport and traffic flow are concerned.
It was observed during the tour that special designated routes had been built for only BRT buses to enable them to avoid the heavy traffic on the normal roads.
In addition, several bus terminals and pedestrian flyovers have been built to directly connect the commuters to the buses and also make easy the acquisition of tickets, some of which could last for a month.
Dr Darko said “this should not be beyond us because if the BRT in Lagos, which is more than six times populated as far as vehicles are concerned, has been able to solve most of the traffic problems, then we will be better off because our population is far smaller but with many roads”.
To him, a better management of the roads, with the new designs coming up, would make Accra and its sister cities more beautiful and decongested.
On how to make the project more acceptable to the people, he said the project department had embarked on a number of stakeholder forums in Accra and Kumasi, saying that they would be sustained.
Dr Darko admitted that as a result of the construction works to be done, there might be inconveniences which might spark public agitation.
“But we will use the media to effectively disseminate the full benefits of the project when completed and the need for them to sacrifice. We have a communication specialist who has been tasked to draw a major media campaign plan and work done so far is encouraging but it will be intensified and sustained,” he added.
On measures to surmount the anticipated challenges, he said, “We have engaged the politicians to understand the importance of the project and its effect on society and the environment and the co-operation so far is encouraging. Meanwhile, we will keep them informed at every stage because that is key.”
Dr Darko said, for instance, that there was an advisory committee, chaired by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and co-chaired by the Minister of Transportation, and noted that so far the collaboration had been encouraging and expressed the hope that as time went by, the interest would be greater “because the project can only succeed with a strong political will”.
He said the various transport unions and the commuters themselves will not be left out as was in the case of LAMATA.
Dr Darko expressed the hope that Ghanaians would buy into the project and give it the needed support.
Members of the delegation were also impressed about what they observed and noted that “if Nigeria, with its huge population, has done it, Ghana can do it better because our population in Accra cannot match that of Lagos”.
The Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, told the Ghana delegation that Ghana, just like Lagos, needed an independent body to be managed by experts in the transport system to enable it to work.
“You need the political support also, but intensify your lobby to avoid the political leaders from putting people without the proper competence to manage the project,” he advised.
He noted, however, that the collaboration between the politicians and the technocrats could not be avoided “because they will bring the money”.
Dr Mobereola wished Ghana well in its move to replicate the BRT in Lagos and elsewhere and called on Ghanaians to support what he described as a “worthy cause”.
Story: Charles Benoni Okine, Lagos
MAJOR road infrastructure works in key cities to pave the way for the smooth transformation of the transportation system in the country will begin in June next year.
The $95 million project, which forms part of the country’s Urban Transport Project, will see the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to ease the serious traffic situation in the major cities of the country, including Accra and Kumasi.
The BRT system will also improve commuter time on the roads, reduce transport fares, reduce fuel consumption and importation, particularly in the face of soaring crude oil prices on the international market, as well as improve air quality, which is gradually worsening as a result of heavy emissions from vehicles.
One of the proposed routes in Accra which will be part of the pilot scheme is the Accra Central/Graphic Road/Kaneshie/Odorkor/Mallam corridor, as well as the Accra Central/Liberation Road/37 Hospital/Tetteh Quarshie/Madina/Adenta corridor. Up to 3,000 passengers will be carried on the corridors per hour.
The Deputy Director in charge of Planning and Development at the Department of Urban Roads, Dr Daniel D. Darko, told the Daily Graphic in Lagos that the designs for the project were almost completed and actual physical construction works would begin with Accra in June next year.
That was after Dr Darko, who led a 30-member delegation from Ghana, had familiarised himself with the BRT system as implemented by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
With what LAMATA referred to as the BRT ‘Lite’, the system has drastically transformed Lagos, the most densely populated state in Nigeria, as far as commuter transport and traffic flow are concerned.
It was observed during the tour that special designated routes had been built for only BRT buses to enable them to avoid the heavy traffic on the normal roads.
In addition, several bus terminals and pedestrian flyovers have been built to directly connect the commuters to the buses and also make easy the acquisition of tickets, some of which could last for a month.
Dr Darko said “this should not be beyond us because if the BRT in Lagos, which is more than six times populated as far as vehicles are concerned, has been able to solve most of the traffic problems, then we will be better off because our population is far smaller but with many roads”.
To him, a better management of the roads, with the new designs coming up, would make Accra and its sister cities more beautiful and decongested.
On how to make the project more acceptable to the people, he said the project department had embarked on a number of stakeholder forums in Accra and Kumasi, saying that they would be sustained.
Dr Darko admitted that as a result of the construction works to be done, there might be inconveniences which might spark public agitation.
“But we will use the media to effectively disseminate the full benefits of the project when completed and the need for them to sacrifice. We have a communication specialist who has been tasked to draw a major media campaign plan and work done so far is encouraging but it will be intensified and sustained,” he added.
On measures to surmount the anticipated challenges, he said, “We have engaged the politicians to understand the importance of the project and its effect on society and the environment and the co-operation so far is encouraging. Meanwhile, we will keep them informed at every stage because that is key.”
Dr Darko said, for instance, that there was an advisory committee, chaired by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and co-chaired by the Minister of Transportation, and noted that so far the collaboration had been encouraging and expressed the hope that as time went by, the interest would be greater “because the project can only succeed with a strong political will”.
He said the various transport unions and the commuters themselves will not be left out as was in the case of LAMATA.
Dr Darko expressed the hope that Ghanaians would buy into the project and give it the needed support.
Members of the delegation were also impressed about what they observed and noted that “if Nigeria, with its huge population, has done it, Ghana can do it better because our population in Accra cannot match that of Lagos”.
The Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, told the Ghana delegation that Ghana, just like Lagos, needed an independent body to be managed by experts in the transport system to enable it to work.
“You need the political support also, but intensify your lobby to avoid the political leaders from putting people without the proper competence to manage the project,” he advised.
He noted, however, that the collaboration between the politicians and the technocrats could not be avoided “because they will bring the money”.
Dr Mobereola wished Ghana well in its move to replicate the BRT in Lagos and elsewhere and called on Ghanaians to support what he described as a “worthy cause”.
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