Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - Government is working on a Belgian loan facility for the procurement of new fire fighting equipment including fire tenders, which would be supplied to some critical area in the country which lack fire stations.

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Interior, responding to a question in Parliament, said 85 critical areas with no fire stations have been identified, including Juapong in the North Tongu district. He said Juapong would be a beneficiary when the Ministry takes delivery of the fire fighting equipment.

Mr. Charles Hodogbey, (NDC-North Tongu) had asked about plans to open a fire station at Juapong.

In response to another question, the Minister said the Interior Ministry was collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to find a lasting solution to the office and residential accommodation problems facing the service.

Mr. Kan-Dapaah was answering a series of questions about the provision of residential and accommodation facilities for the Sampa police in the Jaman North constituency and the Dadieso police in the Suaman constituency.

The Minister said, an amount of about 100 billion cedis was needed to complete all uncompleted police stations and residential facilities. Mr. Kan-Dapaah, has, meanwhile, commended the chiefs and people of the Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region municipality for the efforts they are making to construct a new police station to benefit the status of the municipality.

"I have recently assured Omanhene of Techiman that we regard the project as a priority and that government plans to provide financial support for the project early next year.=94 02 Nov. 06