Accra (Greater Accra) 4th June '99

Companies and individuals, that meet standards set and approved by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) would be encouraged to construct airstrips in areas that abound in economic and strategic resources.

Mr Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport, who announced this in Parliament on Thursday, when he took his turn to answer questions from members, said the move is to help promote tourism in those areas.

Mr Salia said a study would be carried out to re-site a new airport, in the Western region, adding, "strategically, the provision of a civil airport for the Western Region should be encouraged within the Vision 2020 concept."

He was reacting to a question by Major Samuel Kwame Amponsah (rtd), NDC-Mpohor-Wassa, East, who wanted to know the plan the Ministry has to provide an airport for the Region. This, Mr Salia said, would help in case of disaster.

In response to several questions from members on the suspension of rehabilitation and constructional works on some roads in the country, Mr Salia attributed it to budgetary constraint.

External and alternative funding, he said, is, therefore, being sought and that as soon as money is available, all suspended and abandoned projects would be tackled in earnest.

The Minister mentioned the Adeiso-Coaltar, Wa-Bamboi, Wa-Bole and the Akim Oda-Nkawkaw roads as some of the roads that need to be either reconstructed or rehabilitated when funds become available.

In answer to a question by Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, NPP-Asante-Akim North as to why work on the other lane of the motorway from Tetteh Quarshie round-about to Mallam, has been abandoned, Mr Salia said work on the road has not been abandoned.

He, however, attributed the suspension of work on the road to lack of funding, and said this, "has constrained our programme for that road".