Accra, May 24, - No money was
paid to Google by Ghana Post, and Ghana Post has no direct relationship with
Google under the National Digital Property Addressing System (NDPAS) project,
Nenyi George Andah, Deputy Minister for Communications revealed on Thursday.
However, data received from
Vokacom who have direct relationship with Google indicates that outside the
original scope of the project and as a value added opportunity a total amount
of US$1,395.64 has been paid for the standard level usage of the Google map on
the NDPAS from 2017 to date to Google.
Answering questions related to
the project, in Parliament, Nenyi Andah said additional direct payments from
Vokacom may be made based on usage and other considerations.
The Deputy Minister’s answer was
in response to a question from Ras Mubarak, MP for Kumbungu, who wanted to know
the expenditure breakdown of the Digital Address System which was launched
recently by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to the Deputy Minister,
who is also the MP for Awutu Senya West, the Supplier/Software developer has
delivered 95 per cent in terms of project implementation; and with regards to
the expenditure for the project, a total of GH¢10.99 million was allocated to
Ghana Post Company Limited, comprising GH¢9.99 million for the
Supplier/Software developer (Vokacom Limited) and GH¢1.001 million to Ghana
Post for project implementation (operational cost).
An amount of GH¢9.49 million,
representing 95 per cent of GH¢9.99 has been paid to the supplier.
“Mr Speaker, it is necessary to
note that the GH¢9.99 million being spent on the NDPAS will provide the system
and had taken care of the marketing and publicity so far.
“However, the Government may have
to spend more on marketing and publicity so as to ensure that every Ghanaian
everywhere knows about the Ghana Post GPS and can have their digital address,”
Nenyi Andah said.
The Akufo- Addo led Government in
2017, in implementing its plans to digitise the Ghanaian economy introduced a
number of innovations. Notable among them is the NDPAS, which is sponsored by
the Ministry of Communications and being implemented by the Ghana Post Company
Limited.
The NDPAS was officially launched
by President Akufo-Addo on October 18, 2017 to provide digital address for
every property in Ghana, to improve the efficiency of doing business using ICT
as the enabler.
Nenyi Andah explained that the
establishment of re-engineered and automated digital addressing system is
critical for effective implementation of national identification and address
referencing database.
Also, NDPAS will facilitate the
formalisation of the economy as it provides unique digital address for property
and businesses for easier identification and tracking by relevant institutions.
“NDPAS is one of the many key
initiatives that will transform Ghana Post to revamp its operations and spur up
the home delivery and support businesses in both urban and rural areas,” the
Deputy Minister assured.
In a related development, Mr
Edward Kaale-Ewola Dery, MP for Lambussie Constituency in the Upper West
Region, wanted to know the steps being taken to curb the network interferences
from neighbouring Burkina Faso, which was affecting communication in the entire
Lambussie District.
The Deputy Communications
Minister said the National Communications Authority is conducting a technical
investigation into the complaint and the monitoring, processing and analysis
exercise would completed by the end of August 2018.
He said the Ministry would
apprise the House as soon as the report is ready.
GNA
No comments:
Post a Comment