Gov�t Chases Us$1.4bn Loan ...Rushes Parliament For Approval Before X�mas Break

THE RISING debt situation in the country appears not to be a bother to government as documents are being laid in Parliament to seek approval for more loans amounting to over US$1.4 billion to finance some projects across the country.

Government has run to Parliament to seek approval for 12 agreements made of credit facilities, 2016 Sovereign Bond and commercial agreements totaling US$1,446,394,703.20.

According to yesterday's Order Paper of Parliament, papers were laid before the House to seek approval for 2016 sovereign bond of up to one billion United States Dollars and a credit facility agreement between Ghana and Industrial Commercial Bank of China for an amount of US$85,800,000 to finance the supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 556 communities in the Eastern, Volta and Northern Regions, phase one.

Other agreements laid before the House for approval were a commercial loan agreement between Ghana and Standard Chartered Bank Ghana for an amount of US$13,869,000 to finance the supply and erection electrical materials and equipment in the Eastern, Volta and Northern regions, phase two.

Credit facility agreement between Ghana and Deutsche Bank for an amount of US$75,000,000 for the procurement of smart prepaid metres and accessories for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was also laid.

A paper was also laid for a credit facility agreement between Ghana and Deutsche Bank for an amount of US$12,000,000 for the procurement of smart prepaid metres and accessories for ECG.

Other papers to be laid for approval are a commercial agreement with L&R Investment and Trading Company of China for US$49,982,293.20 and a commercial agreement with Ghana Electrometer Company for an amount of US$7,824,160 both for the procurement of smart prepaid metres and accessories for ECG.

Some other agreements are between Ghana and Alpha Power Ventures; Intelligent Metering and Energy Solutions; MBH Power and Gas and NURI Telecom Company for amounts of US$4,010,000, US$6,934,500, US$6,965,250 and US$4,009,500 respectively for the procurement of smart prepaid metres and accessories for ECG.

Another commercial contract to be laid is between Ghana and China Hunan Construction Engineering Group Corporation for an amount of US$180,000,000 in respect of supply and erection of electrical materials and equipment for the electrification of 556 communities in the Eastern, Volta and Northern Regions.

The agreements before the House are expected to receive Parliamentary approval before the House goes on recess next week.