Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is in the process of completing the relevant documents to acquire land in Ashaiman to provide a permanent fire station as well as residential accommodation for its personnel.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Minister of the Interior said this on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday in answer to a question by Mr Alfred Kwame Agbesi, NDC-Ashaiman who wanted to know when a permanent building would be provided for the Service in Ashaiman.

The Minister said the chief of Zenu; a suburb of Ashaiman had offered a parcel of land for the use by the GNFS of which the relevant documents were being processed.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah said in view of the large sum of money needed for such a project, the Ministry was seeking funding from sources outside the annual budget to provide the accommodation. "Parliament would then be requested to approve the loan agreement once it is accepted by Cabinet."

"It is hoped that the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) will also be able to offer some assistance when approached at the appropriate time." The Minister said currently the offices of the GNFS were located in the premises of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).

When asked what plans the Ministry had to construct a permanent building for the Ashaiman Police, Papa Owusu-Ankomah said the Ministry was seeking other sources of funding to provide the facility. "When we are successful with the on-going negotiations, the proposals will be submitted to the House for the necessary approval."

Papa Owusu-Ankomah noted that the provision of these facilities involves substantial resources, which government cannot presently meet from her budgetary resources.

"It is my hope that when we are ready with the financial package for the construction of permanent building for the police, the TMA will once again be in the position to provide some support towards meeting the goal."

The Minister said as part of the Ministry's programme to ensure that the country was safe and secure; it was the government's policy to provide permanent police stations and barracks for fast growing communities, such as Ashaiman and its environs.

Mr James Klutse Avedzi, NDC-Ketu North also asked the Minister when the renovation works would be completed on the temporary structure earmarked for Weta Police Station to enable personnel to be posted there, Papa Owusu-Ankomah said he had been informed that work on the building was almost completed.

The Minister said the police administration had put in place measures to provide personnel for the station to make it operational once the renovation had been completed.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah commended the Ketu District Assembly, which is carrying out the renovation works and appealed to the District Assemblies to support the operations of the security agencies since good security in the District would attract more investments.