Parliament adopts report on Wetlands Management

Political Party Bill reaches consideration stage this week

Accra (Greater Accra), 6^th December 99

Parliament on Thursday adopted a report on Wetlands management regulations (1999 L.I. 1659), which seeks to strengthen conservation efforts in these areas also called Ramar Sites.

Wetlands include marshes, peat and other water logged surfaces and provide among other things, habitat for many life forms like water fowls and migratory birds.

Mr. Abraham Osei Aidoo, NPP-Tema West, arguing for the adoption of the report, said the mishandling of wetlands in the country has brought about uncontrollable flooding and its subsequent human cost during wet seasons.

He said that recently, the Sakumono Lagoon, which is a wetland, burst its banks and washed away the Accra-Tema beach road because it was heavily silted and could not contain the heavy volume of rainwater.

Mr. Osei Aidoo said the about 100 families who depend on the lagoon for their livelihood would have a better life if such areas are well managed.

Mr. Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South expressed the fear that the coming into force of the regulation would deprive people living in such areas of their land and livelihood and wondered whether they will be compensated.

Nana Akufo Addo, Chairman of the Subsidiary Committee, said the coming into force of the regulations would not put those lands under public ownership but would rather help the Game and Wildlife Department to find ways to collaborate with the local people to properly manage the sites.

He said even though there would be limited level of interference that would not amount to any form of deprivation.

The House also adopted a report on the Roads Tolls Regulations (1999 L.I. 1660).

One of the purposes of the regulations is to update and bring it in line with current realities.

This would enable the Ministry of Roads and Transport to carry out its maintenance responsibilities effectively.

GRi

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Accra (Greater Accra), 6^th December 99

The hotly debated Political Parties Bill, in which the Minority failed in its bid to secure a guarantee for State funding of political parties, would reach the consideration stage on Thursday next week.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, Majority leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, presenting the business statement for the eighth week of the third sitting, said Parliament would continue to hold two sittings a day to clear its backlog.

He said that in view of the limited time at the disposal of the House, only businesses of private members that have important national implications should be accorded priority.

The Leader of the House said that the afternoon sessions would be devoted to question time and that only urgent statements shall be admitted.

" The committee (business Committee) urges all committees to expedite action on business before them to enable Parliament complete its legislative programme for this meeting before the house rises."

The week opens with the quizzing of the Ministers of the Interior and Central Region on Tuesday.

The Minister of Works and Housing would be the guest at Parliament's question time on Wednesday .The political parties bill goes to the consideration stage on the same day.

Thursday is the turn of the Minister of Roads and Transport.

The week's question time closes on Friday with the Ministers of Food and Agriculture and Youth and Sports.

There would be committee sittings and the laying of papers for loans during the week.

GRi

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