Govt, EBID to procure engines for GNFS

Page 16, Jan 28, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE government has entered into negotiations with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for a $24.7 million to procure new fire tenders for distribution to fires stations throughout the country.
The Minister of Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels told Parliament today that government recognised the need to strengthen the capacity of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to enable its personnel operate efficiently.
He was answering a question posed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sefwi-Wiawso, Mr Paul Evans Aidoo on the ministry’s plan to provide a fire tender to the Sefwi-Wiawso Fire Station.
Mr Bartels also informed the House that the ministry was gradually addressing problems of vehicles, communication gadgets and other logistic needs facing the entire security agencies.
He said the ministry recently took delivery of 172 out of 221 tata vehicles for distribution to the security agencies out of which the GNFS was allocated 40.
Mr Bartels added that a Chinese company had also been contracted to provide communication network solely for the security agencies.
He said the first phase of the project, which is confined to Accra and its environs had just begun and would be extended to the regional capitals under the phase two of the programme.
Mr Bartels explained that the third phase, would involve the extension of the network to the districts.
On the conditions of service of the security service under the ministry, boards and councils of such agencies had been tasked to study and review such conditions for submission to the government for consideration.
“In the interim, approval has been given for all security agencies, including the GNFS to also enjoy salary increases recently approved for workers of the civil and public services”, he stated.