Accra, June 25, – Parliament today approved a 17.3 million-dollar loan agreement for the rehabilitation of classroom structures of primary education, under the Free, Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (F-CUBE) programme. The loan, contracted between the government and the African Development Fund, was approved by 121 votes in favour with none against. However, the approval was not without admonition from Members who called for qualitative execution of projects under the agreement. Some Members expressed their reservations about certain provisions and definitions in the agreement and called for redress to enhance its purpose. In a motion for approval, Mr J.E. Ackah (NDC-Jomoro), Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, said the project will focus on improving the quality of primary education in deprived regions in the Northern sector of the country as well as needy pockets in other regions. It will address the basic need for standard classrooms by rehabilitating existing physical structures and providing new furniture. Mr Ackah said under the agreement, educational materials will be provided and headteachers trained in management skills. The terms and conditions of the loan put the total cost of projects at 13 million dollars with a 9.5 million-dollar foreign exchange component while the government is expected to provide 4.17 million dollars. Its implementation period is four-and-a-half years beginning from next year. It is to be repaid within 40 years inclusive of 10 years grace period. The loan attracts an interest rate of one per cent per annum up to the 20th year and three per cent annually thereafter. Mr Ackah said government was not able to provide matching fund for the project in the 1997 budget for the Ministry of Education and urged the Ministry to ensure its inclusion in its next year budget estimates. The committee was not satisfied with the low involvement of MPs in the selection of beneficiary schools, he said, and urged the Ministry to “fully involve” them in similar ventures in future. He said although there is provision for supplementary reading books for schools under the project, there are no proper library facilities in most schools and recommended that libraries be provided under the project. In addition, teachers should be trained to manage school libraries, Mr Ackah said. In the ensuing debate, Mr Kosi Kedem (NDC-Hohoe South), said while he welcomes the agreement, he would have wished that its provisions had included pre-school institutions. Mr Kedem cautioned against waste during the implementation of the projects. “We should check shoddy jobs and ensure prompt execution of the work.” He advocated a supervisory role for Parliament during work on the projects. Mr Kedem tasked the Ministry of Education to provide all basic schools with libraries to improve the reading skills of the children. Mr Jacob Arthur (NDC-Mfantsiman West), also stressed the need to ensure that durable structures are built to avoid wastage. “We should ensure a first class job.” Mr Charles Nyannor (NPP-Upper Denkyira) who supported calls for qualitative work, however, stretched his boundaries when he alleged that contracts for similar projects were being sold out to unqualified contractors for one million cedis. This attracted a point-of-order from Mr J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, majority leader, asking Mr Nyannor to substantiate his allegation to prompt an investigation. But Mr Nyannor was reluctant to pick up the challenge, saying he could only do that in confidence with Mr Owusu-Acheampong outside the House. The Speaker, Mr Justice D.F. Annan, intervened and cautioned Mr Nyannor that as much as general statements are allowed, it is improper to level allegations without proof in the House. Mr Nyannor insisted that it is an open secret that contracts were being sold out. “They know it, all of them, they know what I am talking about.” Mr Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye (NDC-Asuogyaman) said the involvement of MPs and the District Assemblies in the selection of project sites, is very crucial to make them viable. Mr Moses Magbengba (NDC-Saboba) suggested that beneficiary District Assemblies should be given the option to select their own contractors. Mr Kojo Armah (PCP-Evalue Gwira) expressed concern about the ommission of schools in his area, arguing that the schools suffer fast deterioration due to heavy rainfalls in the region.
