Accra, July 13, GNA -As at June 30, this year, an amount of 24,020,690.75 million dollars has been spent on the offices and residence of the Presidency, Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, Minister of Presidential Affairs, told Parliament on Friday.

He said 69 percent of work on the project has been completed and it is expected that by the end of the year, work would be completed. The Minister was responding to a question on how much has been spent so far on the construction of offices and residence for the President and the state of construction.

Mr Mpiani said work on the seat of government and the presidency building, being undertaking by Messrs Shapoorji Pallonji and Co Limited of India, has a contract sum of over 36 million dollars. Responding to another question, Mr Mpiani told the House, that as a result of the creation of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, the Presidential Commission on Chieftaincy has been requested to work with the Ministry.

He said the Commission, set up to counsel the President on chieftaincy matters and appointed in 2003, has Mr Justice G.L. Lamptey, as Chairman.

He said Nana Ampadu Daaduam, II, Prof. Irene Odotei, Mr P.K. Damoah, Prof. George P. Hagan, Mamaga Amega Kofi Bra, I, and Naa E.D. Mahami are the members.

Earlier, Mr Ambrose Dery, Outgoing Upper West Regional Minister, told Parliament that the Regional Coordinating Council has no plans to construct a bridge over the Black Volta to link the Wa West District to Burkina Faso because these was no authorized entry point in the district.

He was responding to a question from Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, (NDC-Wa West) on plans to link the area to Burkina Faso through the construction of a bridge.

The Minister said a proposal has been sent to the Immigration Service to see to the possibility of creating an entry point to construct the bridge.