THE Minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio, has told Parliament that it is the policy of the government to encourage the establishment of private security companies to complement the Ghana Police Service in law enforcement.

He said so far, there are 69 security companies in Ghana and that before any security organisation is licensed to operate, ?it is properly screened and its activities are monitored to ensure that it does not become a menace to the society or threaten the peace and stability of the country?.

Nii Okaija was responding to a parliamentary question on the ministry's policy on the registration of private security companies. On concerns that such security personnel could be turned into a paramilitary organ, he said, personnel of the private security agencies are not armed, although they wear uniforms.

Asked why the authorities would not recruit more police personnel instead of licensing private security organisations, the minister said the government's policy on such companies followed popular demand. Besides, he said, "the country's economy has expanded while population has grown, so what we used to do should give way to the realities of the times".

Nii Okaija told the House that the Bimbilla police station is undergoing rehabilitation and as soon as the remaining plumbing and sewerage works are completed, the station would be re-opened. The Bimbilla Police Station was burnt down during the 1994 ethnic conflict in the North.

The minister said the neighbouring Wulensi police station will, however, be considered under the current 1999 to 2001 medium-term expenditure framework. Asked whether he does not consider a police station at Wulensi as a necessary tool to prevent conflict since the town was hard hit during the Northern strife, Nii Okaija said it was the wish of the Ministry to open such facilities in every town but it is a question of the budgetary constraints. ? GNA

On plans by the ministry to check overspeeding by drivers plying the roads in Bechem township, Nii Okaija said the Brong Ahafo Regional Police would be directed to intensify checks on the main Kumasi-Sunyani road and the Bechem township to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.

He said additionally, the attention of the Ministry of Roads and Transport would be drawn to the problem with a request to provide speed ramps on the Bechem roads. ? GNA